The countdown to the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 has begun as it starts on 30th September. The World Cup will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 30th September to 2nd November 2025. This will also be the last Women’s World Cup to feature eight teams, as 10 teams will participate from 2029.
The teams will play in a round-robin format, meaning all eight teams will face each other once in the group stage. The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals.
The 13th edition promises to be historic for several significant reasons. It will be the first time in ICC history that all umpires and match referees in the World Cup will be women. This marks a major step towards promoting women in sports. Another landmark move by the ICC is the unprecedented prize fund of $13.88 million (USD) for the tournament. This marks a 297% increase from the $3.5 million awarded in the 2022 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. Interestingly, the 2025 prize pool even surpasses the Men’s World Cup of 2023.
India will host matches in Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam, and Navi Mumbai, while Sri Lanka will host Pakistan’s fixtures in Colombo under a neutral-venue agreement. The Indian team will begin their campaign against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on 30th September 2025.
History of the Women’s World Cup 2025
The first Women’s World Cup was held in England in 1973, even before the Men’s World Cup. Hosts England won the inaugural title. The qualification pathway for the Women’s World Cup is through the ICC Women’s Championship and the World Cup Qualifier. The idea was conceived by Jack Hayward, a visionary philanthropist.
The first edition featured England, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Young England, and an International XI. Australia has since established dominance, winning seven titles with consistent depth and strength. England and New Zealand have also been multiple champions. Meanwhile, India and the West Indies have reached finals without winning, a testament to the growing competitiveness of women’s cricket.
Squads of All 8 World Cup Teams
Australia Women’s Cricket Squad:
Alyssa Healy (captain), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham
Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Squad:
Nigar Sultana Joty (captain), Nahida Akter, Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter
England Women’s Cricket Squad:
Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
India Women’s Cricket Squad:
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud
Reserves: Tejal Hasabnis, Prema Rawat, Priya Mishra, Minnu Mani, Sayali Satghare
New Zealand Women’s Cricket Squad:
Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu
Pakistan Women’s Cricket Squad:
Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah
Reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
South Africa Women’s Cricket Squad:
Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Ayabonga Khaka, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Tazmin Brits, Sinalo Jafta, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Annerie Dercksen, Anneke Bosch, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase
Reserve: Miane Smit
Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Squad:
Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi De Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya
Reserve: Inoshi Fernando
Conclusion
The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 will be staged between 30th September and 2nd November in India and Sri Lanka, with Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam, Indore, Guwahati, and Colombo hosting matches. Fans can look forward to marquee clashes like India vs Pakistan (5 Oct), India vs Australia (12 Oct), India vs South Africa (9 Oct), India vs England (19 Oct), and India vs New Zealand (23 Oct).
With history being made both on and off the field, this edition is set to be one of the most celebrated Women’s World Cups ever.
