WILL IRELAND REPEAT 2007?
2026 T20 WORLD CUP- IRELAND’S LIST, FIXTURES AND DRAW
Ireland has the odds stacked against them in this upcoming world cup, but its not the first time that’s been the case. Performing various famous miracles in world cups prior, shocking the world of cricket. Ireland have drawn in a group B slot for the upcoming T20 world cup in India and Sri Lanka. Their pool contains the host nation, Sri Lanka, and world cricket dominators, Australia. To qualify through the next round of the tournament they will have to finish within the top two positions for the pool, a narrative notorious with Irish Cricket. Famously knocking off Pakistan in the 2007 world cup to qualify through the tournament, sending shockwaves through the nation; uniting the country.
Legendary Irish Cricketer Kevin O’Brien stated on radio, “We have a good side, and if we play well on a certain day we can beat the best teams in the world”. Kevin O’Brien, the third highest run scorer for Ireland and Ireland’s highest wicket taker who played through 2007 and 2011 world cups knows the feeling of beating the best teams all too well. Scoring a 58-ball century in Bangalore in 2011 to beat an extremely strong English side.
Prior to the world cup in February, Ireland have scheduled two practice T20 series against Italy and the UAE. They will play three matches against Italy followed by two games against the United Arab Emirates before they play their first world cup group game against Sri Lanka on the 8th of February.
IRELAND - 2026 T20I WORLD CUP DRAW
Sun, 08 Feb ‘26
6th Match, Group B (N) • Colombo (RPS), ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Sri Lanka VS Ireland
Wed, 11 Feb ‘26
14th Match, Group B (D/N) • Colombo (RPS), ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Australia VS Ireland
Sat, 14 Feb ‘26
22nd Match, Group B • Colombo (SSC), ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Ireland VS Oman
Tue, 17 Feb ‘26
32nd Match, Group B (D/N) • Pallekele, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Ireland VS Zimbabwe
FORM
Sri Lanka
Ireland’s record against the formidable host nation Sri Lanka in T20 internationals stands at 3 losses without a win. The last meeting between the two teams being in 2022 at Bellerive oval in Australia when Sri Lanka comfortably won by 9 wickets. Pathum Nissanka, the dangerous right-handed batter is going to be a challenge for Ireland to overcome in this much anticipated fixture which will mark the first game for both teams in this world cup.
Australia
Australia masterfully dominates world cricket through the assistance of the rapid right armer Nathan Ellis and the dominant South Australian, Travis Head. Ireland has had only 2 run-ins with Australia to play T20 cricket, Australia prevailing on both accounts. After coming off a significant Ashes series, Australia will seek to pose a dangerous threat throughout this tournament. Australia is the top ranked test team in the world and arguably has the best bowling attack seen since the West Indies in the 1980s. Pat Cummins and his team famously triumphed over India in the ODI world cup of 2023 but have since failed in the world test championship final of 2025 and the T20 world cup of 2024. They will be hungry to once again reclaim their dominant status and clinch victory in this tournament.
Oman
This tournament will mark Oman’s 4th world cup appearance. Ireland has the rub of the green against this opponent with a record of 4 wins against Oman’s 2.
Zimbabwe
Ireland has constantly played Zimbabwe over the last decade in Test tours, One Day Series’ and T20 fixtures. Since 2014, Ireland and Zimbabwe have crossed 18 times for T20 matches, 1 time in the world cup of 2022. Considering Ireland and Zimbabwe have both won 8 times with 2 abandoned matches played, this game shapes up to excite.
PLAYERS
Paul Stirling
Born in Belfast, Paul Stirling has long been the figurehead of Irish Cricket. Now 35 years old, Paul Stirling will look to be an imperative member of this side for the T20 world cup. Averaging nearly 27 runs per innings, he is the 5th highest run scorer ever in T20 internationals, not to mention his countless contributions in various franchise competitions around the world.
Harry Tector
Harry Tector has been labelled ‘the future of Irish Cricket’, with 1617 runs in T20I at just the age of 26, Harry is living up to the name. In 2018, Harry was the captain of the U19 team, leading his crew which included Josh Little to tour New Zealand.
Lorcan Tucker
This versatile wicket keeping batsman is a gem for the Irish side, whilst he has excelled in all formats of the sport, the T20 game is arguably his calling. In the T20 world cup of 2022, he was Irelands highest run scorer, scoring 71 against Australia at the difficult cauldron in sunny Brisbane at the Gabba, a venue that even the best in the world continue to fail at. Recently, Lorcan has ventured into overseas short format franchise competitions, including the Caribbean Premier League, the ILT20 in the UAE, the Pakistan Super League and the SA20 in South Africa, providing him with enhanced training for this world cup.
Andy Balbirnie
This star of Irish cricket has hit a rough patch of form in recent times, averaging just 18 in the recent test tour in Bangladesh. He hasn’t played a T20 international for Ireland since June 2024 against Pakistan. Nonetheless, his powerful sweep and brilliant form in the Inter Provincial competition are positive points for selection, averaging 48.9 runs in the 2025 domestic season.
George Dockrell
Now 33, George Dockrell was once herald as the best young player to ever originate from Ireland. This classy all-rounder made his debut at the age of 17 and famously dismissed Sachin Tendulkar at just 18 in the 2011 ODI world cup. Capable of turning games around in big moments, Dockrell is one that has proven to excite.
Curtis Campher
South African born, Curtis Campher played for the u-19s South African national side. He is a genuine allrounder who made the most out of his Irish passport when he made his debut in Southampton against England in 2020. Currently he is playing for the Munster reds in the domestic competitions and has played in various overseas leagues such as the Pakistan Super League and the Bangladesh Premier League.
Mark Adair
This right arm medium fast bowler is a wicket taking specialist. He could’ve made a professional career out of rugby union but committed to cricket. Now playing in tournaments in England, America, and the UAE.
Josh Little
From Dublin, Josh has become a superstar in franchises across the globe, earning significant contracts for his talent, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His rapid seam bowling craft has been incredibly effective on sub-continental pitches and his skills could be used in this upcoming world cup.
Tim Tector
Dublin born, Tim has had a breakout year in 2025, playing in the T20 tour against Bangladesh as a top order batsman earning some respectable scores.
Barry McCarthy
Barry McCarthy is a reliable fast bowling talent who has recorded 61 wickets from his 61 T20 international matches since 2017. He leads the records for the most wickets in the 2025 Inter Provincial 20 over Trophy with 16 wickets from 12 games with the dominant Leinster team. In his last two T20 matches, he took 3 wickets in 2 games against Bangladesh at an average of 16.7 runs conceded per wicket for the series.
Craig Young
With fierce pace and bounce, Craig has been a major player in the Irish side for over a decade, debuting in 2014 against Scotland at Malahide.
Fionn Hand
Whilst only playing a handful of international games, Fionn has delivered with both bat and ball.
Ben Calitz
Born in Vancouver, Canada, Ben Calitz is a strong middle order batsman who has been given the chance to play for Ireland in 2025 when he made his debut against England, scoring 22.
Ben White
Ben White could pose as a serious option in this upcoming world cup. His height and fast leg spin deliveries which come in flat could prove effective in dusty conditions.
Matthew Humphreys
This accurate left armer has been establishing himself into the national side over the past few years, coming off some good form from the domestic league and recent test tour to Bangladesh.
Jordan Neill
South African Born, this passionate young talent has played Test matches and One Day Internationals for Ireland but is yet to make his T20 debut. He is a reliable batter who is also capable of bowling. A bright young versatile talent, positive for the future of Ireland’s Cricket.
Ross Adair
Averaging almost 29 in the T20 format, it’s hard to believe that Ross transitioned from a rugby union background. Famously scoring a 58-ball century against South Africa in 2024, he is a pivotal experienced talent. Unfortunately, Ross was ruled out of the Bangladesh T20 series with injury.
With a list full of passion and vast international cricketing experience, will Ireland shock the Cricket World once again?
