Italy Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 – Full Team List, Fixtures & Key Players
Italy enter the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka, with renewed ambition and growing confidence. After an impressive campaign in the Europe Qualifier, the Azzurri secured their place among the world’s top 20 T20 nations a historic achievement for Italian cricket.
Featuring a balanced combination of European domestic performers and experienced T20 globetrotters, Italy will compete in Group C alongside England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Their squad is shaped around powerful all-rounders, disciplined seam options, and technically solid batters a blend designed to adapt to subcontinental conditions.
Italy Likely Squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Mosca | Batter |
| 2 | Emilio Gay | Batter |
| 3 | Joe Burns | Batter |
| 4 | Justin Mosca | Batter |
| 5 | Zain Naqvi | Batter |
| 6 | Benjamin Manenti | All-rounder |
| 7 | Grant Stewart | All-rounder |
| 8 | Harry Manenti | All-rounder |
| 9 | Gian-Piero Meade | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 10 | Marcus Campopiano | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 11 | Bilal Khan | Bowler |
| 12 | Crishan Kalugamage | Bowler |
| 13 | Damith Kosala | Bowler |
| 14 | Jaspreet Singh | Bowler |
| 15 | Thomas Draca | Bowler |
| 16 | Zain Ali | Bowler |
Note: Final 15-man squad to be confirmed by the Federazione Cricket Italiana (Italian Cricket Federation) prior to the tournament.
Italy Squad PDF – T20 World Cup 2026
A downloadable squad PDF will be available from the Italian Cricket Federation and ICC closer to the tournament.
Captain , vice Captain & Team Management
- Captain (Likely): Grant Stewart
- Vice-Captain (Expected): Benjamin Manenti
- Head Coach (Expected): Gareth Berg
Grant Stewart’s leadership brings maturity, power-hitting, and disciplined seam bowling to the team. The Manenti brothers add versatility, making Italy one of the better-balanced Associate squads heading into the World Cup.
Italy’s Group – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
| Team | Qualification Path |
|---|---|
| England | Top 7 finish – T20 WC 2024 |
| West Indies | Top 7 finish – T20 WC 2024 |
| Bangladesh | Top 7 finish – T20 WC 2024 |
| Nepal | Asia/EAP Qualifier |
| Italy | Europe Qualifier |
Italy is set for a tough group, but their structured style and growing T20 experience give them the potential to surprise bigger teams.
Italy Group Stage Fixtures – T20 World Cup 2026
| Match No. | Fixture | Venue | Date | Local Time | GMT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Bangladesh vs Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Mon, Feb 9 | 11:00 AM | 05:30 GMT |
| 17 | Nepal vs Italy | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai | Thu, Feb 12 | 3:00 PM | 09:30 GMT |
| 29 | England vs Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Mon, Feb 16 | 3:00 PM | 09:30 GMT |
| 37 | West Indies vs Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata | Thu, Feb 19 | 11:00 AM | 05:30 GMT |
This schedule gives Italy early opportunities to build momentum in Group C.
Predicted Italy Playing XI – T20 World Cup 2026
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emilio Gay | Opening Batter |
| 2 | Joe Burns | Top-order Batter |
| 3 | Anthony Mosca | Middle-order Batter |
| 4 | Grant Stewart (C) | All-rounder / Captain |
| 5 | Benjamin Manenti | All-rounder |
| 6 | Gian-Piero Meade (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 7 | Harry Manenti | All-rounder |
| 8 | Jaspreet Singh | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Bilal Khan | Left-arm Fast Bowler |
| 10 | Damith Kosala | Medium Fast Bowler |
| 11 | Crishan Kalugamage | Spinner |
Bench Strength: Justin Mosca, Marcus Campopiano, Thomas Draca, Zain Ali
Team Strengths & Key Analysis
1. Strong All-Round Department
Italy’s biggest strength lies in its all-rounders:
- Grant Stewart adds both power-hitting and reliable seam bowling.
- Benjamin and Harry Manenti offer spin, batting depth, and tactical versatility.
This gives Italy the flexibility to adjust to match conditions and tactical demands.
2. Experienced Top Order
Players like Joe Burns and Emilio Gay bring valuable first-class experience and composure, essential for handling world-class bowling attacks.
3. Versatile Bowling Attack
- Bilal Khan (left-arm pace) and Jaspreet Singh (right-arm fast) create a varied seam combination.
- Kalugamage and Kosala provide spin options vital for Indian surfaces.
This mix allows Italy to build strategies for both pace-friendly and spin-friendly venues.
4. Improved Fielding & Athleticism
Italy’s exposure to European domestic leagues and franchise setups has significantly boosted their fielding standards, which will be crucial in close T20 contests.
Italy’s Road Ahead
Italy sees the 2026 T20 World Cup as a platform to showcase the rise of Associate cricket in Europe. Despite facing top-tier teams, Italy has the discipline, structure, and growing T20 expertise to produce competitive performances. A win or two in Group C especially against Nepal or Bangladesh could redefine their global standing and elevate Italian cricket’s profile.
Final Word
The Italy T20 World Cup 2026 squad offers the ideal blend of experience, fearless young talent, and multi-dimensional skill. With solid all-round options, a capable bowling attack, and improving batting strength, Italy enters the tournament as a potential dark horse ready to challenge expectations and make a mark on the biggest T20 stage.
FAQs – Italy Squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
1. Who is expected to captain Italy in the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Grant Stewart is the likely captain, with Benjamin Manenti as vice-captain.
2. Who are Italy’s key players for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
Key players include Grant Stewart, Benjamin Manenti, Joe Burns, Emilio Gay, Jaspreet Singh, and Bilal Khan.
3. Which group is Italy placed in?
Italy is in Group C, alongside England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
4. What is Italy’s biggest strength as a team?
Italy’s biggest strength is their all-round depth, giving them multiple bowling and batting options for T20 matchups.
5. When does Italy play their first match?
Italy’s first match is against Bangladesh on February 9, 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
