The wait is finally over. The global cricket community is gearing up for the most prestigious club tournament in history. The World Club Championship League (WCCL) returns in 2026 with a single goal: to identify the undisputed king of franchise cricket.
This is not an exhibition tournament. This is a battle of champions.
Unlike other tournaments where teams are invited based on popularity or market size, the WCCL follows a strict merit based system. Only the winners of the world’s premier T20 leagues earn the right to compete here. There are no wildcards and no favors. If you want to be here, you have to win your domestic league first.
Below is the list of the major leagues expected to send their champions to the global showdown.
Projected Participating Leagues & Teams:
| League Name | Country | Key Contenders |
| Indian Premier League (IPL) | India | Mumbai Indians, CSK, KKR, Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Pakistan Super League (PSL) | Pakistan | Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United |
| Big Bash League (BBL) | Australia | Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers, Brisbane Heat |
| The Hundred | England | Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets |
| SA20 | South Africa | Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Durban’s Super Giants |
| Caribbean Premier League (CPL) | West Indies | Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana Amazon Warriors |
| Major League Cricket (MLC) | USA | MI New York, Washington Freedom |
On this page, we break down the qualification criteria, the squads, and the star players you can expect to see. We also analyze the strengths of the different leagues representing their nations in this global showdown.
Qualification Criteria:
The format for the 2026 edition is built on exclusivity. The organizers, backed by the BCCI, ECB, and Cricket Australia, have established a “Champions Only” policy.
In the previous era of the Champions League T20, runners up and third place teams often found a way into the tournament. That has changed. The new WCCL is designed to be the “Super Bowl” of cricket.
How a Team Qualifies:
- Win the Domestic Title: The primary requirement is lifting the trophy in their home league (e.g., winning the IPL Final).
- League Recognition: The league must be a full member recognized tournament (IPL, PSL, BBL, etc.).
This high bar ensures that every single match features two teams that know how to win under pressure. There are no weak links in this chain.
Participating Leagues:
While the specific clubs will be decided by the results of the 2026 domestic seasons, the slots are allocated to the giants of the T20 world. Here is a detailed look at the leagues that will send their champions to the WCCL.
1. Indian Premier League (IPL) – India
The IPL is the richest and most competitive cricket league on the planet. The winner of the IPL is automatically considered the favorite for the WCCL title.
- Likely Contenders: Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders.
- Team Strength: IPL teams have the deepest pockets, meaning they have the best international stars and the finest Indian talent. Their benches are often stronger than the playing XIs of other leagues.
- Key Players to Watch: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Rashid Khan, Heinrich Klaasen.
2. Pakistan Super League (PSL) – Pakistan
If the IPL is about batting glamour, the PSL is about raw bowling speed. Pakistan has produced the most exciting fast bowling talent in the last decade, and its league reflects that.
- Likely Contenders: Lahore Qalandars, Peshawar Zalmi, Islamabad United.
- Team Strength: PSL teams are famous for their bowling attacks. Expect 150 kph thunderbolts and lethal reverse swing. They play a fearless brand of cricket that can rattle any batting lineup.
- Key Players to Watch: Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman.
3. Big Bash League (BBL) – Australia
Australian teams bring a level of fitness and fielding that is unmatched. The BBL champions are usually tactically superior and adapt quickly to different conditions.
- Likely Contenders: Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers, Brisbane Heat.
- Team Strength: BBL teams play on large grounds in Australia, so they are experts at running between the wickets and protecting large boundaries. They are gritty and never give up until the last ball.
- Key Players to Watch: Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson.
4. The Hundred – England
Representing the UK, the champions of The Hundred (or the Vitality Blast, depending on the final ECB decision) will bring a modern, aggressive approach.
- Likely Contenders: Oval Invincibles, Southern Brave, Trent Rockets.
- Team Strength: English cricketers have revolutionized white ball cricket with their “all out attack” philosophy. Expect their batters to target the boundaries from ball one.
- Key Players to Watch: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran.
5. SA20 – South Africa
The SA20 has quickly established itself as the second biggest league in terms of quality. With strong IPL ownership connections, the teams are professionally managed and stacked with talent.
- Likely Contenders: Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Durban’s Super Giants.
- Team Strength: A perfect mix of South African power hitting and tactical smarts. These teams are comfortable against both pace and spin.
- Key Players to Watch: Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, and Marco Jansen.
6. Caribbean Premier League (CPL) – West Indies
Never discount the West Indies. The CPL champions bring the “Calypso Cricket” flair. They are the most dangerous team on their day because they rely on pure six hitting power.
- Likely Contenders: Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Barbados Royals.
- Team Strength: Immense power hitting. Their batting lineups often go deep, with players at number 9 capable of hitting sixes.
- Key Players to Watch: Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine.
7. Major League Cricket (MLC) – USA
The inclusion of the USA champion is a nod to the growing global footprint of cricket. MLC teams feature some of the best international pros.
- Likely Contenders: MI New York, Washington Freedom.
- Team Strength: These teams are often comprised of seasoned international veterans who have played all over the world. They bring immense experience.
Past Winners of the CLT20:
- 2009: New South Wales Blues (Australia)
- 2010: Chennai Super Kings (India)
- 2011: Mumbai Indians (India)
- 2012: Sydney Sixers (Australia)
- 2013: Mumbai Indians (India)
- 2014: Chennai Super Kings (India)
As you can see, the trophy has traditionally been a battle between India and Australia. Can a team from Pakistan, England or the Caribbean break this duopoly in 2026?.
Conclusion:
The team list for the World Club Championship League 2026 will be the most elite list of cricket squads ever assembled. It represents the pinnacle of the T20 format.
For the players, it is a chance to prove they are the best in the world, not just the best in their country. For the fans, it is a dream come true. Keep checking this page. As soon as the domestic leagues around the world conclude, we will update the list of qualified teams right here.