West Indies Announce T20 World Cup 2026 Squad: Quentin Sampson Gets Maiden Call-Up, Alzarri Joseph Ruled Out

West Indies have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, set to be held across India and Sri Lanka. The selection committee has handed a maiden World Cup call-up to rising star Quentin Sampson, while experienced pacer Alzarri Joseph has been ruled out due to injury.

The same squad will first take on South Africa in a three-match T20I series beginning in Paarl on Tuesday, providing crucial match practice ahead of the global showpiece event.

Squad Composition: Blend of Experience and Youth

Key Inclusions and Omissions

The Caribbean outfit enters this World Cup cycle without some of their biggest names from recent years. Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell, who were instrumental in the 2024 edition that West Indies co-hosted, have both retired from international cricket since.

However, the selectors have retained significant experience in the form of Jason Holder and Johnson Charles. Holder brings a wealth of 86 T20I appearances to the table, while Charles will be featuring in his fifth T20 World Cup for the Windies—a remarkable achievement that underscores his longevity at the highest level.

The Sampson Selection

The most notable inclusion is 25-year-old Quentin Sampson, who earned his spot on the back of an outstanding Caribbean Premier League 2025 campaign. Playing for Guyana Amazon Warriors, Sampson amassed 241 runs at an impressive strike rate of 151.57, helping his side reach the final of the competition.

While his T20I debut against Afghanistan last week yielded modest returns of just 35 runs across three innings, the selectors have shown faith in his domestic performances and potential for growth on the world stage.

Experience Matters: The 2016 Connection

West Indies' current setup carries a direct link to their triumphant 2016 T20 World Cup campaign in India. Johnson Charles, now a senior figure in the batting lineup, was part of that victorious squad. Current head coach Daren Sammy captained the side to glory that year, and his experience of winning on Indian soil could prove invaluable as the team prepares to return to the subcontinent.

Jason Holder was also part of the 2016 squad, though he didn't feature in any matches during that tournament. A decade later, he returns as one of the senior-most players in the setup.

Road to the World Cup: South Africa Series

Recent Form Concerns

West Indies head into the South Africa series following a 2-1 defeat against Afghanistan in their most recent bilateral assignment. That series was played without several key players, including captain Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, and Sherfane Rutherford, who were fulfilling commitments in the SA20 league.

With the full-strength squad now assembled, the three-match series against South Africa presents an ideal opportunity to build combinations and fine-tune strategies before the World Cup.

Series Schedule

• 1st T20I: Paarl - January 27, 2026
• 2nd T20I: Centurion - January 29, 2026
• 3rd T20I: Johannesburg - January 31, 2026

T20 World Cup 2026: Group Stage Fixtures

West Indies have been drawn in a competitive group and will begin their campaign on the opening day of the tournament. Their schedule reads:

The clash against England promises to be a marquee encounter, pitting two former champions against each other in the group stage.

Full Squad for T20 World Cup 2026 and South Africa Series

Captain: Shai Hope

Batters: Johnson Charles, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, Quentin Sampson

All-rounders: Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

Spinners: Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie

Fast Bowlers: Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales

Looking Ahead: Can West Indies Reclaim Glory?

With a balanced squad featuring explosive batters, crafty spinners, and genuine pace options, West Indies have the tools to make a deep run in the tournament. The absence of Alzarri Joseph is a blow to their fast bowling department, but Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales have shown they can shoulder the responsibility.

The key for Shai Hope and his men will be hitting the ground running against South Africa and carrying that momentum into the World Cup. With home conditions in India offering some familiarity from the 2016 triumph and experienced campaigners like Charles, Holder, and Hetmyer in the ranks, the Caribbean side will fancy their chances of adding to their rich T20 World Cup legacy.