As the 2026 T20 World Cup approaches, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday (January 30) announced the full list of match officials to handle the group-stage matches between India and Sri Lanka starting from February 7.

ICC announces match officials for 2026 T20 World Cup group stage

In the group stage, the ICC selected 24 on-field referees and 6 match referees. Most of them are experienced and have handled big games in the past. “Officials for the Super Eights and knockout stages will be announced in due course,” the International Cricket Council said.

The opening match of the 2026 T20 World Cup will be played at the Sinhala Sports Club Stadium in Colombo between Pakistan and the Netherlands. Kumar Dharmasena and Wayne Knights will serve as on-field referees for this match.

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Knights will be the on-field umpire for the first time at the Men’s T20 World Cup. Dharmasena, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience and has officiated 37 T20 World Cup matches. He also coached the 2016 and 2022 T20 World Cup finals and was part of the 1996 Sri Lanka World Cup-winning team.

Rod Tucker and Nitin Menon: Choose experienced names

On the day of India’s opening match, Kolkata will host the Group C match between Scotland and West Indies. Nitin Menon and Sam Nogajski are believed to be responsible for the clash. Menon officiated the first semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, while Nogalski officiated the four group matches.

Later the same day, India will face the United States in Mumbai. The game will be officiated by Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker. Tucker is the most experienced referee in the tournament, having officiated 46 men’s T20 World Cup matches. During this World Cup, he will also watch England vs. Nepal, India vs. Namibia, and South Africa vs. the United Arab Emirates.

Top official to preside over India-Pakistan conflict

Australia’s Group B match against Ireland on February 11 will be refereed by Chris Gaffani and Richard Illingworth. The two had previously shared on-field duties during the 2024 T20 World Cup final between India and South Africa in Barbados.

The most important match of the 2026 T20 World Cup group stage, India vs Pakistan in Colombo on February 15, will be managed by Richard Illingworth and Kumar Dharmasena.

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2026 T20 World Cup Group Stage Match Officials:

Match referee:

Javagar Srinath, Dean Kosk, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson, David Gilbert and Ranjan Madugal.

referee:

Roland Black, Chris Brown, Kumar Damasena, Chris Gaffani, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Wayne Knights, Donovan Koch, KNA Padma Naban, Alahuddin Palek, Ahsan Raza, Leslie Reifer, Paul Reifer, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogaiski, Landon Rusele, Shavdullah ibn Shahid, Gazi Sohel, Rod Tucker, Alex Wharf, Raveendra Wimalasiri and Asif Yaqoo b.

It is worth noting that 20 teams will compete for the final championship in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. The teams are divided into four groups, and the top two teams in each group (five teams) will advance to the next round, then the top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, and the two best teams will face each other in the 2026 T20 World Cup finals.