The officials of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final have already been finalized before the most awaited match between India and New Zealand in the Narendra Modi stadium. The Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Officials revealed that Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf of England will be the on-field umpires to the showpiece game.
Richard Illingworth is back in the ICC Men T20 world Cup final in the second successive edition. He had refereed on the same match with Chris Gaffaney in the 2024 final. Illingworth has gained a significant amount of experience working on some of the largest ICC events, such as the finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. The fact that he was appointed goes a long way in showing how much trust they had in him to handle high stakes matches.
Illingworth will referee with Alex Wharf who was brought onto the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires last year. Wharf has earned a good international track record, such as the ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2022 and the ICC Men Cricket World Cup 2023. His mention illustrates that ICC aims at combining the seasoned officials with the upcoming talent in major tournaments.
The two umpires will have already collaborated together this week when New Zealand won in a shocking semi-final against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Their cooperation during this high pressure match is likely to introduce uniformity and justice to the final.
The impending event is one which is eagerly anticipated by the fans of the sport around the world as India and New Zealand prepare to partake in an exciting match.
