Italy have officially named their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking a historic milestone as the Azzurri prepare for their first-ever appearance at a global ICC men’s tournament. The squad will be led by experienced batter Wayne Madsen, who has been entrusted with guiding Italy through uncharted territory on the world stage.
Italy will begin their landmark campaign against Bangladesh on February 9 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, before facing Nepal on February 12 in Mumbai. Drawn into Group C, the tournament debutants will also come up against two-time champions England and West Indies, presenting a stern but exciting challenge for the European side.
The headline inclusion in the squad is JJ Smuts, the South African-born all-rounder who brings valuable top-level experience, having represented South Africa in 13 T20 Internationals. His presence adds depth and balance to Italy’s line-up as they look to compete with more established cricketing nations. However, Emilio Gay misses out due to injury, a setback for the Italians ahead of the tournament.
Italy’s qualification was one of the standout stories of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier 2025, where they produced a historic run to finish second. Wins over Scotland and Guernsey sealed their place at the World Cup, alongside the Netherlands, underlining Italy’s rapid progress on the international stage.
The Azzurri will be supported by a well-rounded backroom team, with John Davison appointed as head coach. He will be assisted by former Ireland captain Kevin O’Brien and Douglas Brown, while former Australia batter Peter Di Venuto will serve as team manager.
As Italy step onto the sport’s biggest T20 platform for the first time, their World Cup debut represents not just a competitive challenge, but a defining moment for the growth of Italian cricket. Facing some of the game’s heavyweights, the Azzurri will aim to embrace the occasion and announce themselves as a rising force in global T20 cricket.
Italy’s squad: 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.
