16 nations have announced their squads for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held across India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
While most teams have locked in their line-ups, the announcements have also thrown up a major talking point, the absence of several high-profile and experienced players.
Here’s a closer look at some prominent players who will miss out on the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Big Names Missing T20 World Cup 2026
1) Yashasvi Jaiswal
India’s young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has enjoyed an impressive start to his T20I career, scoring 723 runs in 23 matches at an average of 36.15 and a strike rate of 164.31, including a century and five half-centuries.
However, with India’s opening combination already settled, Jaiswal has missed out on a World Cup berth despite his strong numbers.
2) Liam Livingstone
England all-rounder Liam Livingstone has struggled for consistency in recent times, and that dip in form has worked against him.
Since the 2024 T20 World Cup, Livingstone has managed just 275 runs across 13 T20 innings, with only one fifty to his name. His numbers in 2025 were even more concerning, scoring only 74 runs in five matches, which ultimately saw him miss out on World Cup selection.
3) Donovan Ferreira
South Africa’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Donovan Ferreira made a rapid rise after his international debut in 2023, impressing with his power-hitting across leagues worldwide.
He was named in South Africa’s provisional squad but will miss the tournament after failing to recover fully from an injury, forcing the selectors to look at other options.
4) Steve Smith
Steve Smith enjoyed a prolific run in the 2025–26 Big Bash League, amassing 299 runs in six innings at an average of 59.80 and a strike rate close to 168. Despite making a strong case with the bat, Smith’s performances were not enough to secure him a place in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad.
5) Haris Rauf
Pakistan have welcomed Babar Azam back into their T20 World Cup plans, but Haris Rauf has failed to make the cut. Head coach Mike Hesson clarified that while Rauf’s selection was discussed, the management prioritised bowlers who offer flexibility across all phases of the innings.
Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Salman Mirza were preferred due to their ability to operate effectively in the powerplay, middle overs and at the death.
