In a key strategic statement dated January 30, 2026 ICC confirmed the panel of senior officials tasked with overseeing the opening phase of the match Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. A total of 24 field umpires and six match officials have been selected to officiate the 55-game tournament. India and Sri Lanka.
Legendary match officials named for India-Pakistan T20 World Cup 2026 decider
This group stage panel has great depth of experience with veteran officials assigned to the most critical ‘triple header’ opening day and the tournament’s most explosive contests. The ICC has officially announced that the stakes are high India vs Pakistan collision Two of the most respected names of the game, which will be held in Colombo on February 15, will be referees. Richard Illingworth and Kumar Dharmasena Referees have been appointed for the Group A blockbuster. A 1996 World Cup winner for Sri Lanka, Dharmasena is a veteran of 37 T20 World Cup matches and featured in both the 2016 and 2022 finals. Illingworth, officiating the 2024 final, brings elite-level composure to what is expected to be the most-watched match of the year.
Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 opening day assignments
The opening day of the tournament, which will be held on February 7, will serve as the backdrop for several important refereeing events:
- First Match (Pakistan vs Netherlands): Dharmasena will be by his side Wayne Knights in Colombo. This will be the Knights’ first T20 World Cup appearance and officially their 50th T20 International appearance at the venue.
- Kolkata Match: Nitin Menon and Sam Nogajski He will officiate the Scotland vs West Indies match. Menon, who officiated the 2024 semi-final, enters the tournament chasing a historic milestone: today, 31 January 2026, he will become the first Indian umpire to officiate 150 internationals during the final T20I between India and India. New Zealand in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Mumbai Triple Header: As India faced the USA that evening, Paul Reiffel and Rod Tucker will be in the middle. Tucker currently leads all officials with 46 T20 World Cup appearances and is on pace to bring up a half-century (50 matches) during the tournament. England vs Nepal and India vs Namibia.
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Complete list of T20 World Cup 2026 group stage match officials
Referees of the match:
Dean Cosker, David Gilbert, Ranjan Madugalle, Andrew Pycroft, Richie Richardson and Javagal Srinath.
Referees on the pitch:
Roland Black, Chris Brown, Kumar Dharmasena, Chris Gaffaney, Adrian Holdstock, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Wayne Knights, Donovan Koch, Jayaraman Madanagopal, Nitin Menon, Sam Nogajski, KNA Padmanabhan, Allahuddien Paleker, Leafels Rafani, Allahuddien Paleker, Lafels, Ahsanif Rusere, Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, Gazi Sohel, Rod Tucker, Alex Wharf, Raveendra Wimalasiri and Asif Jacob.
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