The Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier is set to begin on 18 January 2026 and sees European representation from Scotland through their participation in the previous edition of the marquee event and Ireland and Netherlands who qualified through the European Regional Qualifiers. 

Across Europe, the teams have participated in ICC competitions and traveled extensively over the last few months in preparation for this tournament, these squads have experienced significant highs and lows. Amidst the chaos, certain players have stood above the rest; heading into the Global Qualifiers, these are the individuals we can expect to continue to shine with the stakes at the highest in Nepal.

Ireland:

1. Orla Prendergast - The new number 10 continues to be the ace for Ireland, a top ten all-rounder in the world for a reason, with 10 wickets to her name and ICC Player of the month in August, 51* against South Africa in the last T20I, with 379 runs in the format with an average of 47.37 she looks to be in great touch ahead of the tournament. She made back-to-back half-centuries in the warm up games in the lead up to the tournament against Nepal and Zimbabwe, retiring out on both occasions.

   
   

2. Gaby Lewis - The skipper led from the front over the course of 2025, being the top run-getter for Ireland with 454 runs, despite demoting herself to give other players opportunities when the European Qualifiers were sealed, her year included four half-centuries, with an average of 50.44. Lewis smashed 77 from 38 balls against Nepal in the warmup match

Scotland:

1. Darcey Carter - The opening batter was a cut above the rest over the course of the ICC Emerging Nations trophy and the preceding Quad Cup, she enjoyed a stellar 2025 in T20I, leading the run-charts for Scotland with 367 runs at an average of 61.64 with four half-centuries to her name, in addition to this she scored a stellar 57 against USA in the first warm up fixture

2. Kathryn Bryce - The skipper missed out on the ICC Emerging Nations Trophy to compete in the Australian Big Bash League where she won with the Hobart Hurricanes and will now resume captaincy taking over from sister Sarah Bryce, Kathryn is widely regarded as one of the best associate players in the world, the top scorer in the ICC ODI World Cup 2025 qualifiers held in Pakistan and will give a much needed boost to the Scotland side.

Netherlands:

1. Iris Zwilling - The leading wicket taker from Europe in 2025 with 35 T20I wickets to her name, with an economy of 4.73 with a bowling average of 11.62, the all-rounder also scored a handy 192 runs being a crucial part of the Netherlands system, playing several different roles including as an opener in the Emerging Nations Trophy. 

   
   

2. Sterre Kalis - the leading T20I run scorer across Europe in 2025, despite only playing 17 matches in 2025, the top order batter racked up 541 runs at an average of 38.64 including a sublime 98* against Nepal, her remarkable consistency saw her finish as the second highest run getter in the Emerging Nations Trophy.