Italy Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Debut World Cup
Italy at a men’s T20 World Cup. Honestly, it still sounds a bit unreal when you say it out loud.
If you’re searching Italy Squad for T20 World Cup 2026, you’re probably not here for a history lesson. You want names. You want roles. You want to know who’s opening, who’s bowling the tough overs, and whether Italy are turning up just to soak it in… or to nick a scalp or two.
Italy Squad for T20 World Cup 2026: Predicted 15 Player List
Here’s where we’re at: the official 15 hasn’t been formally confirmed yet, but the core group is pretty obvious based on who got them here, who’s been involved in the set-up, and how the team has been built around overseas-based Italian-qualified pros.
And yes — it’s Italy’s first ever men’s T20 World Cup. Debut tournament. New badge on the biggest stage.
Italy’s big storyline: a debut World Cup with a very modern squad
This isn’t a “tiny cricket nation discovers cricket” story. Italy have qualified the hard way, and they’ve done it with a very clear strategy: use the Italian-qualified pool from county cricket and franchise leagues, bolt that onto the best of the local core, and build a team that can handle pressure.
That strategy doesn’t always win you popularity points, but it wins you matches. And qualification is the proof.
The other big plot twist? The captaincy.
Joe Burns was the headline name for a while, but he’s no longer part of the World Cup picture. Italy have moved on, and Wayne Madsen is leading the team into 2026. If you’ve watched county cricket for any length of time, you’ll know what that means: calm head, smart batting, proper game awareness. No drama, just work.
Italy Squad Announcement Expected: when will it drop?
With associate sides, squad announcements can be a bit later than you’d get with the big Full Members. It often depends on availability, travel logistics, and getting final clearances sorted.
The one thing that’s pretty clear: Italy will want their combinations settled before the tournament starts because Group C doesn’t give you gentle warm-up games. Your first week could decide your whole month.
Italy’s Group C fixtures: no hiding place
Italy have landed in a group that’s fun for neutrals and brutal for newcomers:
Bangladesh (Eden Gardens, Kolkata) – Italy’s World Cup debut
Nepal (Wankhede, Mumbai) – the match that feels most “winnable”
England (Eden Gardens, Kolkata) – the glamour game (and a reality check)
West Indies (Eden Gardens, Kolkata) – power-hitters everywhere, no mercy
Three games at Eden Gardens is fascinating. Eden can be a road, but it can also get a little sticky and hold up just enough to bring cutters and spinners into play. Wankhede is the opposite: blink and you’re chasing 205.
Likely squad of 15 (early call)
This is the bit you came for. Here’s a realistic, balanced Likely Squad of 15 based on the players who’ve been central to Italy’s rise and the roles they’ll need in India.
Top order / batters
Wayne Madsen (captain)
Emilio Gay
Justin Mosca
Anthony Mosca
Marcus Campopiano (wk/bat)
Gian Meade (wk cover)
All-rounders (Italy’s real strength)
Harry Manenti
Ben Manenti
Grant Stewart
Syed Naqvi
Bowlers (pace + spin)
Thomas Draca
Jaspreet Singh
Crishan Kalugamage
Damith Kosala
Zain Ali
Could there be a surprise inclusion? Always. But if Italy go far from this core, I’d be shocked.
Key players: who actually decides games for Italy?
Emilio Gay: the guy who makes “upset” feel possible
Italy need someone who can punch above weight in the powerplay. Not “steady 22 off 18.” I’m talking “50 off 21 and the favourites are suddenly sweating.”
Gay has already shown he can do that kind of damage. If he gets going early at Eden, Italy’s whole innings changes shape.
Wayne Madsen: the innings glue (and the brain of the team)
In tournaments like this, you need one batter who doesn’t panic when it’s 17/2 and the crowd’s roaring. Madsen is that guy.
He’s also exactly the kind of captain you want for a debut World Cup: practical, matchup-aware, and not allergic to taking the ugly option if it wins you the game.
Harry Manenti: the “I’m taking wickets, mate” guy
T20s are won by wicket-takers in the middle overs. You can’t just “hold” teams to 7.5 an over and hope. You need someone who breaks partnerships.
Manenti is the guy Italy will lean on when the game feels like it’s slipping. If Italy pull off an upset, don’t be surprised if he’s right in the middle of it.
Thomas Draca: the spearhead who has to nail the hard overs
Every associate at a World Cup needs one fast bowler who can bowl two overs up top and two at the death without turning into a boundary machine.
Draca’s role is huge. If he executes at Eden, Italy can compete. If he misses, Eden doesn’t forgive.
Predicted Playing XI (and why it makes sense)
Here’s the XI I’d start with in most Group C matches, with one tweak spot depending on conditions:
Justin Mosca
Emilio Gay
Wayne Madsen (c)
Marcus Campopiano (wk)
Harry Manenti
Grant Stewart
Ben Manenti
Crishan Kalugamage
Thomas Draca
Jaspreet Singh
Damith Kosala / Zain Ali (pick based on pitch and matchup)
Why this works:
You’ve got aggression (Gay, Mosca), stability (Madsen), and enough batting depth that one early wobble doesn’t kill you.
You’ve got spin options that can actually slow down the middle overs at Eden.
You’ve got seamers who can cover the powerplay and death without asking part-timers to do miracles.
Team strength & key analysis: how Italy can actually win games
Where Italy can hurt teams
Middle overs with spin + smart matchups. Italy will have spells where they squeeze hard.
Powerplay intent. If Gay or Mosca get a flyer, Italy can put a proper number on the board.
Calm finishing. Stewart and Harry Manenti give them the kind of finishing most associates simply don’t have.
Where Italy could get exposed
Death bowling under lights. One bad over at Wankhede and you’re chasing shadows.
Fielding intensity. At this level, one dropped chance can be a 30-run mistake.
Scoreboard pressure. If Italy are 120/4 after 16 at Eden, they need to finish like a big team, not like a team happy to be there.
The two matches that define Italy’s World Cup
Bangladesh (Eden Gardens): the “why not us?” game
Bangladesh in T20 World Cups have been… unpredictable. If Italy arrive sharp and fearless, this is the fixture that can flip the group narrative instantly.
Italy don’t need perfection here. They need one or two big phases: a powerplay burst, or a middle-overs choke, or a death-over blitz with the bat.
Nepal (Wankhede): the “must-win for belief” game
This one will have noise, emotion, and probably a lot of runs. Nepal will have support, and Wankhede turns most matches into a chase-fest.
Italy’s plan should be simple: bat deep, hit straight, bowl wide yorkers and cutters, and don’t get sucked into panic bowling when the ball starts flying.
Final thought
Italy’s debut World Cup doesn’t have to be a polite cameo. They’ve got enough quality in this group — especially in the all-rounder/spin core — to make someone uncomfortable.
And that’s the real goal, isn’t it?
Not to “participate.”
To walk in, play like you belong, and steal one big win that makes the cricket world sit up and go: hang on… Italy can play.
If you want, I can also write a second version of this piece that’s more “news-style” (shorter paragraphs, punchier updates) for when the official 15 drops — without turning it into robotic announcement fluff.