England-born Trott, appointed head coach of Afghanistan in July 2022, has been confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to step down after the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is scheduled for February and March 2026.
During his tenure, Afghanistan reached significant milestones. Under Trott’s guidance they advanced to their first ever T20 World Cup semi-final in 2024 and narrowly missed the semi-final stage at the 2023 ODI World Cup after posting wins over major cricketing nations.
The ACB described the decision as part of their “long-term strategic planning for the next phase” of the national side’s development, signalling that the change in coaching is forward-looking rather than reactive.
Trott in his statement expressed pride in what had been achieved and goodwill towards the team and its supporters: “I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I will always remain a supporter of Afghan cricket. I wish the team and the Afghan people continued success in the years ahead.”
While the timing has been set, the announcement does raise questions about the transition and succession planning. With the next major tournament being the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan will also need to ensure continuity and stability during this coaching change. The door is now open for Trott’s successor to build on the momentum created under his leadership.
In short, after a breakthrough phase under Jonathan Trott, the Afghanistan cricket team is entering a new chapter. His departure after the 2026 T20 World Cup closes a formative era and sets the stage for the next evolution of their ambitions on the global cricket stage.
