England T20 World Cup 2024 squad - (Source: AFP)
On Tuesday, December 30, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced England’s provisional 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to begin on February 7. The board made a few shocking calls as Liam Livingstone, Jamie Smith failed to earn a place in the team.
Jofra Archer, who is struggling with injury concerns, has found a place in the provisional squad, but his availability will also be subject to fitness. England last won the title in 2022, but had a below-par World Cup and lost in the semi-finals.
It has been nearly two years since the last World Cup, and a lot has changed in the two squads for England, particularly the captains, as Harry Brook will lead the team for the upcoming edition.
Meanwhile, this article will shed light on the players who are now not part of England’s T20 World Cup squad and where they are now. Interestingly, only eight players from England’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad have made it to the 2026 squad.
1. Moeen Ali
The 38-year-old who served as Jos Buttler’s deputy in the T20 World Cup 2024 is not a part of England’s current squad, as the star all-rounder retired from international cricket in September 2024, just a few months after the last World Cup.
Further, England have named Jacob Bethell in the squad, who will replicate the same role as Moeen Ali in the team.
2. Liam Livingstone
One of the shocking names missing from England’s provisional squad is Liam Livingstone. The star all-rounder was a key part of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad, but has failed to find a place in the team because of his poor form.
Notably, the right-handed batter has played just five matches in 2025 and amassed just 74 runs, averaging 14.80.
3. Mark Wood
Another major name missing from the 2024 T20 World Cup for England is Mark Wood. The right-arm speedstar is struggling for fitness issues. In the latest events, Wood was selected for the Ashes, but was ruled out of the series after the first Test because of a knee injury. Therefore, the 35-year-old has been kept out of the team for the same reasons.
4. Chris Jordan
Chris Jordan is another seamer who has been left out England’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The right-arm seamer has been struggling for form and has not played a solitary game in 2025. Jordan’s last appearance in T20Is for England was back in the T20 World Cup semi-final and has been out of the scheme of things since then.
5. Reece Topley
Reece Topley, too, has failed to find a place in the England World Cup squad because of his dismal form and also injury woes. The left-arm seamer last played for England in November 2024 and has been out of the scheme of things since then.
At present, Reece Topley is playing in the BBL for Sydney Thunder and has picked up five wickets in five innings.
6. Jonny Bairstow
Similar to other players, Bairstow too has fallen behind in the pecking order in the past two years. At present, England have Phil Salt and Ben Duckett, who are doing well for the Three Lions in the opening slot. Therefore, there is no place for Bairstow, and the power hitter misses out on the World Cup squad.
At present, Bairstow is busy playing SA20 2025-26 for Sunrisers Eastern Cape and has amassed 33 runs in two innings.
7. Tom Hartley
Hartley was part of England’s 2024 T20 World Cup but never got to make his Three Lions debut in the shortest format of the game. He was dropped from the squad, and the ECB opted for other options than Hartley in recent times.
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