Richard Illingworth will be officiating in his second consecutive T20 World Cup final after the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the match officials for the final match between defending champions India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8.
Illingworth, a veteran English umpire, will be accompanied by Alex Wharf as the two on-field umpires during the T20 World Cup 2026 final. Illingworth had shared the umpiring duties with Chris Gaffaney in the final of 2024.
South Africa’s Allahuddin Paleker will serve as the third umpire for the marquee clash while fellow Adrian Holdstock assisting as the fourth umpire. Andy Pycroft will take up the duties of match referee in Ahmedabad.
Illingworth’s appointment as an on-field umpire for two consecutive T20 World Cup finals came after his impressive run in major ICC events in recent years. He has also served as an on-field umpire in the summit clashes of 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
On the other hand, Wharf was elevated to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2025 after his impressive run in the 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup. The duo of Wharf and Illingworth stood together in the first semifinal between South Africa and New Zealand at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
T20 World Cup 2026 Final match officials
On-field Umpires: Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf
Third Umpire: Allahuddin Paleker
Fourth Umpire: Adrian Holdstock
Match Referee: Andy Pycroft
