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

West Indies have announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, to be held in India and Sri Lanka. The Caribbean side has introduced exciting young talent Quentin Sampson while dealing with the significant blow of losing pace spearhead Alzarri Joseph to injury.

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

Quentin Sampson: The Surprise Package

The most notable inclusion in the West Indies squad is 25-year-old batter Quentin Sampson, who has earned his maiden T20 World Cup call-up on the back of an impressive Caribbean Premier League 2025 campaign.

Sampson made his T20 debut during CPL 2025, where he represented Guyana Amazon Warriors. The right-hander accumulated 241 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 151.57, playing a crucial role in taking GAW to the runners-up position.

Recent International Form

The young batter made his T20I debut in the recent series against Afghanistan, managing 35 runs across three innings. While the numbers may not be eye-catching, the selectors have shown faith in his franchise cricket performances and potential for growth on the international stage.

Alzarri Joseph's Absence: A Blow to Pace Arsenal

The exclusion of Alzarri Joseph due to injury represents a significant setback for West Indies' bowling attack. Joseph has been a key figure in the Caribbean pace battery, and his absence will test the depth of their fast bowling resources.

Squad Composition: Blend of Experience and Youth

Captain Shai Hope will lead a side that retains much of its core from the 2024 T20 World Cup, which West Indies co-hosted. However, the squad does reflect some notable absences.

Retired Stars Missing

Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell, two of the most destructive batters in T20 cricket, have both retired from international cricket since the 2024 edition. Their absence leaves a considerable void in the middle order firepower.

Experience at the Core

West Indies will rely heavily on the experience of Jason Holder and Johnson Charles. Holder brings 86 T20I appearances to the table, providing invaluable experience in high-pressure situations. For Charles, the upcoming tournament will be his fifth T20 World Cup representing the Caribbean nation.

Notably, both Charles and current head coach Daren Sammy were integral members of West Indies' triumphant 2016 T20 World Cup campaign in India. Holder was also part of that squad, though he didn't feature in any matches during that victorious run.

Road to the T20 World Cup

South Africa Series

West Indies enter the South Africa series following a 2-1 defeat against Afghanistan. That series saw several regulars including captain Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, and Sherfane Rutherford absent due to SA20 commitments.

The three-match series schedule:

• Match 1: Paarl - January 28
• Match 2: Centurion - January 29
• Match 3: Johannesburg - January 31

T20 World Cup Group Stage Fixtures

Seven days after the South Africa series concludes, West Indies will begin their T20 World Cup campaign. Their group stage schedule includes:

• February 9: vs Scotland (Kolkata) - Opening day of tournament
• February 11: vs England
• February 15: vs Nepal
• February 19: vs Italy

Full West Indies Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Batters: Shai Hope (c), Johnson Charles, Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Quentin Sampson

All-rounders: Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

Spinners: Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie

Fast Bowlers: Matthew Forde, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales

Looking Ahead: West Indies' Tournament Prospects

With a good mix of experience and emerging talent, West Indies will be looking to mount a serious challenge in the T20 World Cup. The return of key players like Hope, Chase, Hosein, and Rutherford for the South Africa series and beyond will bolster the squad significantly.

The upcoming series against South Africa offers the perfect opportunity for the team to gel and for Sampson to cement his place ahead of the World Cup. With the tournament returning to India, where West Indies last won the title in 2016, the Caribbean side will be hoping history can repeat itself a decade later.