COMMONWEALTH LEADERS CONFIRM PARTICIPATION IN CHOGM 2026 HEADS OF GOVERNMENT CRICKET MATCH

Guyana’s President Ali and Kenya’s Deputy President Kindiki to captain the Caribbean and Wider Commonwealth Teams respectively

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Heads of Government and senior government representatives from across the Commonwealth are confirming their participation in Sunday’s Heads of Government match during the “One Commonwealth, One Team – A Commonwealth Cricket Celebration”, presented by Hamilton Reserve Bank, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Dominica and Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are among the nations already confirmed for the Caribbean side, while Bangladesh, Botswana, India, Kenya, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Pakistan, Samoa, Seychelles and South Africa have signed up to represent the Wider Commonwealth, with confirmations continuing to come in as the historic occasion draws closer.

Guyana’s President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali will captain the Caribbean side, while Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will lead the Wider Commonwealth.

Among the other Heads confirmed to take the field are Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne; Prime Minister of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Godwin Friday; and Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Rt. Hon. Philip Davis. With many leaders juggling a busy summit schedule, several nations will be represented by senior ministers and diplomats, and the final line-ups for both sides will be confirmed closer to the match.

The two teams will be guided from the dugouts by a pair of former rival captains and Commonwealth cricketing icons, with West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards serving as Honourary Manager of the Caribbean side and former England captain David Gower taking charge of the Wider Commonwealth.

Played in a spirit of friendship and camaraderie, the fixture offers leaders from across the Commonwealth an informal opportunity to share the field, reflecting the partnership and cooperation at the heart of the CHOGM 2026 theme — “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth”.

The Heads of Government match will be followed by the Commonwealth Future Stars Under-23 ten-overs-a-side match between the Caribbean and the Wider Commonwealth, showcasing emerging talent from across the Commonwealth.

“One Commonwealth, One Team – A Commonwealth Cricket Celebration” is hosted by Cricket West Indies (CWI) in collaboration with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Commonwealth Secretariat, with support from event sponsors Trivandi, Khalili Foundation and Sustainable Markets Initiative.

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