Italy have officially announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking a historic first for the European nation on cricket’s biggest T20 stage.
Led by experienced campaigner Wayne Madsen, the Azzurri will make their tournament debut against Bangladesh on February 9 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, before taking on Nepal in Mumbai on February 12. Drawn into a challenging Group C, Italy will also face two-time champions England and West Indies, making their maiden campaign a stern test from the outset.
Madsen, who has been a central figure in Italy’s rise through the associate ranks, was a unanimous choice to captain the side as they step into uncharted territory.
JJ Smuts boosts Italy’s World Cup ambitions
The standout inclusion in Italy’s squad is former South Africa international JJ Smuts, whose experience at the highest level adds significant depth to the batting and all-round options. Smuts has previously featured in 13 T20 Internationals for South Africa and brings a calm presence to a squad preparing for its biggest challenge yet.
Italy will, however, miss Emilio Gay, who has been ruled out of the tournament due to injury — a setback ahead of a demanding group-stage schedule.
Italy’s historic road to qualification
Italy’s qualification itself was one of the standout stories of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier 2025. The Azzurri finished second in the tournament, highlighted by memorable victories over Scotland and Guernsey, sealing qualification alongside the Netherlands.
Their 12-run win over Scotland in the Europe Regional Final proved to be a defining moment — a result that underlined Italy’s growing stature in associate cricket and paved the way for their World Cup debut.
Coaching staff and tournament outlook
The Italian setup will be overseen by John Davison as head coach, with former Ireland international Kevin O’Brien and Douglas Brown serving as assistant coaches. Peter Di Venuto will take on the role of team manager.
While Italy enter the tournament as clear underdogs, their qualification run and the inclusion of seasoned professionals mean they are unlikely to be pushovers. For a team playing its first Men’s T20 World Cup, every match represents both a challenge and an opportunity to announce themselves on the global stage.
Italy squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
Wayne Madsen (c), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca.
