EMIRATES ICC ELITE PANEL OF MATCH OFFICIALS NAMED FOR ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2026 FINAL

Media release

English pair Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf will be in the middle for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Final between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad.

Illingworth will take charge of his second consecutive Men’s T20 World Cup Final, having stood alongside Chris Gaffaney in 2024.

It continues Illingworth's impressive recent record of appointments, having also stood in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final and the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 Final.

He is joined by compatriot Wharf, who will oversee his first senior ICC World Cup Final.
Wharf previously stood at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 events before he joined the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires last year.

The pair, who were together in the middle for New Zealand’s semi-final victory over South Africa on Wednesday, are supported by third umpire Allahuddien Paleker and fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock, while the match referee is Andy Pycroft.

South African Paleker was elevated to the Elite Panel of Umpires alongside Wharf in March 2025 and has stood in six matches during the tournament.

Emirates ICC Match Officials: ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Final

India v New Zealand, Sunday 8 March, Ahmedabad

On-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf
Third Umpire: Allahuddien Paleker
Fourth Umpire: Adrian Holdstock
Match Referee: Andy Pycroft

ENDS