The stage is set for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, with all 20 participating teams now confirmed. The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March 2026, promises to be an exciting affair, featuring a blend of cricketing powerhouses and emerging nations.
Qualified Teams and Qualification Routes:
The journey to the 2026 T20 World Cup has been a multi-faceted process, with teams securing their spots through various pathways.
Hosts:
- India: As co-hosts, India automatically qualified for the tournament.
- Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka join India as the other co-hosting nation with direct qualification.
Top Performers from 2024 T20 World Cup:
The top seven teams from the 2024 edition (excluding the hosts) earned automatic qualification. These teams are:
- Afghanistan
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- England
- South Africa
- USA
- West Indies
ICC T20I Rankings:
Based on the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings, the next three highest-ranked teams secured their spots. These are:
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
Regional Qualifiers:
The remaining eight teams booked their places through regional qualifying events. These are:
- Americas Qualifier: Canada
- Europe Qualifier: Italy, Netherlands
- Africa Qualifier: Namibia, Zimbabwe
- Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier: Nepal, Oman, UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) were the final team to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026 after defeating Japan. Nepal and Oman booked their spots after the UAE defeated Samoa. Italy will be making their debut in a major ICC tournament.
Tournament Format:
The 2026 T20 World Cup will maintain the format of the previous edition, featuring 20 teams divided into four groups of five. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 8 stage, followed by the knockout stages (semi-finals and final).
