Explainer
We’ll introduce you to Al Jazeera’s guide to the tournament format, venues, top players, top players to watch, and Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Released on September 29, 2025
Women’s cricket will take the central stage from Tuesday when eight countries compete at the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India and Sri Lanka’s International Cricket Council (ICC).
Australia is the defending champion and has recorded seven winners of the single-day International (ODI) competition, but India is a favorite for breaking the drought at home.
Recommended Stories
List of 4 itemsEnd of the list
Here’s everything you need to know about tournaments:
When will the first match and final of the Women’s World Cup?
The World Cup begins when India hosted Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Tuesday and ends in the final on Sunday, November 2nd.
If India is the official host, why do some World Cup games take place in Sri Lanka?
India was confirmed as the official host of the tournament earlier this year, while Sri Lanka has been added as a neutral venue for the game involving Pakistan.
As a result of an ICC-brokered agreement between India and Pakistan, both countries have given the option of playing the game at neutral venues for tournaments hosted by South Asian countries. Neighbors had not visited each other for 13 years of bilateral cricket competitions and shared a fierce four-day military and air conflict in May.
Guwahati is scheduled to hold its first semi-finals, but if Pakistan has the final four qualifications, the venue will be changed to Colombo.
Navi Mumbai will hold their second semi-finals.
If Pakistan participates in the first Women’s World Cup final, the venue for the final can also be moved to Colombo.
Where is the Women’s World Cup venue?
Dr Dy Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, India Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, India Holkar Stadium, Indore, India Dr Ys Rajasekhara Reddy Aca-Vdca Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, India R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lankaa
Which teams in the Women’s World Cup and how did you qualify?
AustraliaBangladeshEnglandIndiaNew ZealandPakistanSouth AfricaSri Lanka
India was qualified under hosting rights, but Australia, the UK, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka reached the top five teams at the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.
Bangladesh and Pakistan participated in the tournament by placing first and second in the World Cup qualifiers.
When and where will the India vs Pakistan match be? WOMen’s World Cup?
The Great Clergy will face off on Sunday at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
India has beaten Pakistan in all ODI matches between the two countries since 2005, with the final victory being the ICC World Cup victory in South Africa.
What is the format and schedule for the Women’s World Cup?
The main round of the tournament will take place in a round-robin format between September 30th and October 26th.
The top four teams at the end of the group stage will compete in the semi-finals on October 29th and 30th.
The final will be held on November 2nd.
#cwc25 updated match schedule has now been deleted 🏆
All actions begin on September 30th! 🗓🗓️
https://t.co/earfubvvlg pic.twitter.com/yqyfpbhzbm
– ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) August 22, 2025
Which of your favorites is your Women’s World Cup victory?
Australia: Southern Stars’ hegemony in women’s cricket cannot be denied, and seven titles at the ODI World Cup and six titles at the T20 World Cup are evidence of their position as the best team in the world. Alyssa Healy’s team is packed with world-leading batsmen, bowlers and all-around players, making it a favorite to defend the title he won in South Africa. India: The hosts will want to lift their first World Cup trophy in 2017, losing the final in the UK and be better in the home turf. India is undoubtedly enjoying the world’s best batsman service and several inform bowlers and all-rounders at Smriti Mandhana. They won 10 of their last 14 ODIs. This includes three against high-ranking opponents.
Who are the players watching at the Women’s World Cup?
Smriti Mandhana (India) Deepti Sharma (India) Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka) Sophie Ecclestone (England) Megan Schutt (Australia) Ellyse Perry (Australia) Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) Amelia Kerr (New Zealand) Sidra Amin (Pakistan) Nahida Akter (
Which of the best group stage matches in the World Cup?
India vs Pakistan vs October 5th at 09:30 India vs Pakistan vs October 12th at 09:30 India and Australia October 19th at 09:30 India vs Australia 09:30 England October 22nd at 09:30 Australia vs October 25th at 09:30 GMT
Who were the past women’s World Cup champions?
1973: 1978: Australia1982: Australia1988: Australia1993: England1997: Australia2000: New Zealand20052009: England2013: Australia2017: England2022: Australia
What are the women’s World Cup prizes?
Total Tournament Prize: $13.88m Champion: $4.48m Semifinals: $22.4m Lost Semifinals: $112m Fits 5th and 6th place finishers: $700,000, and seventh place finishers each: $80,000 each.
How do I buy tickets for the Women’s World Cup?
Tickets for all group stage games are available on the ICC ticket website and start at $1.
