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2026 Men's T20 World Cup qualification

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2026 Men's T20 World Cup qualification

The 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup was the tenth edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, a biennial world cup for cricket in Twenty20 International (T20I) format organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It was co-hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Sri Lanka Cricket from 7 February to 8 March 2026. Sri Lanka had previously hosted the competition in 2012 and India in 2016. The qualification process for the 2026 tournament included two stages: 12 teams were awarded direct qualification while 87 teams took part in the regional qualification to compete for the remaining 8 spots. The regional qualification included series of sub-regional qualifiers and regional finals held between June 2024 and October 2025. India and Sri Lanka, the host teams, along with the top seven teams from the 2024 tournament, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States and the West Indies, directly qualified for the 2026 tournament. The remaining three direct qualification places were allocated to the next best-ranked teams in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings as on 30 June 2024, that had not finished in the top seven: Ireland, New Zealand and Pakistan. The eight remaining places were filled through the ICC's regional qualifiers: Canada from the Americas, Italy and Netherlands from Europe, Namibia and Zimbabwe from Africa, and Nepal, Oman and the United Arab Emirates from the combined Asia–EAP final. Italy qualified for the men's T20 World Cup for the first time. Ahead of the tournament itself, Bangladesh withdrew from the tournament and were replaced by the next best ranked team in the T20I Rankings: Scotland.

Infobox

Dates
9 June 2024 – 17 October 2025
Administrators
International Cricket Council Africa Cricket Association Asian Cricket Council ICC Americas ICC East Asia-Pacific ICC Europe
Cricket format
Twenty20 International
Host
Various
Participants
12 (direct qualification) 87 (regional qualification)
Matches
292
Most runs
Alishan Sharafu (508)
Most wickets
Festus Benn (22)

Tables

Summary of the qualification process · Format
No. of participants
No. of participants
ICC region
No. of participants
Slots per region
Start date
No. of direct qualified teams
End date
Africa
Africa
ICC region
Africa
Slots per region
3
No. of direct qualified teams
1
Remaining slots
2
Regional qualifiers
20
Regional qualifiers
21 September 2024
Regional qualifiers
4 October 2025
Americas
Americas
ICC region
Americas
Slots per region
3
No. of direct qualified teams
2
Remaining slots
1
Regional qualifiers
10
Regional qualifiers
6 December 2024
Regional qualifiers
22 June 2025
AsiaEast Asia-Pacific
AsiaEast Asia-Pacific
ICC region
AsiaEast Asia-Pacific
Slots per region
8(9)
No. of direct qualified teams
3(4)2
Remaining slots
3
Regional qualifiers
169
Regional qualifiers
30 August 202417 August 2024
Regional qualifiers
17 October 2025
Europe
Europe
ICC region
Europe
Slots per region
6(5)
No. of direct qualified teams
4(3)
Remaining slots
2
Regional qualifiers
32
Regional qualifiers
9 June 2024
Regional qualifiers
11 July 2025
Total
Total
ICC region
Total
Slots per region
20
No. of direct qualified teams
12
Remaining slots
8
Regional qualifiers
87
ICC region
Slots per region
No. of direct qualified teams
Remaining slots
Regional qualifiers
No. of participants
Start date
End date
Africa
3
1
2
20
21 September 2024
4 October 2025
Americas
3
2
1
10
6 December 2024
22 June 2025
AsiaEast Asia-Pacific
8(9)
3(4)2
3
169
30 August 202417 August 2024
17 October 2025
Europe
6(5)
4(3)
2
32
9 June 2024
11 July 2025
Total
20
12
8
87
Details of the teams qualified for the T20 World Cup · Qualified teams
India
India
Team
India
Method of qualification
Hosts
Date of qualification
16 November 2021
Venue(s)
—N/a
Number of teams
2
Total times qualified
10
Last time qualified
2024
Previous best performance
Winners (2007, 2024)
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Team
Sri Lanka
Method of qualification
10
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Winners (2014)
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Team
Afghanistan
Method of qualification
2024 Men's T20 World Cup (Top teams from the previous tournament, excluding hosts)
Date of qualification
17 June 2024
Venue(s)
West Indies United States
Number of teams
6(7)
Total times qualified
8
Last time qualified
2024
Previous best performance
Semi-finals (2024)
Australia
Australia
Team
Australia
Method of qualification
10
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Winners (2021)
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Team
Bangladesh
Method of qualification
9
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Super 8 (2007, 2024)
England
England
Team
England
Method of qualification
10
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Winners (2010, 2022)
South Africa
South Africa
Team
South Africa
Method of qualification
10
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Runners-up (2024)
United States
United States
Team
United States
Method of qualification
2
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Super 8 (2024)
West Indies
West Indies
Team
West Indies
Method of qualification
10
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Winners (2012, 2016)
Ireland
Ireland
Team
Ireland
Method of qualification
ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings
Date of qualification
30 June 2024
Venue(s)
—N/a
Number of teams
4(3)
Total times qualified
9
Last time qualified
2024
Previous best performance
Super 8 (2009)
New Zealand
New Zealand
Team
New Zealand
Method of qualification
10
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Runners-up (2021)
Pakistan
Pakistan
Team
Pakistan
Method of qualification
10
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Winners (2009)
Scotland
Scotland
Team
Scotland
Method of qualification
21 January 2026
Date of qualification
7
Venue(s)
2024
Number of teams
Super 12 (2021)
Canada
Canada
Team
Canada
Method of qualification
Americas Qualifier
Date of qualification
15 – 22 June 2025
Venue(s)
Canada
Number of teams
1
Total times qualified
2
Last time qualified
2024
Previous best performance
Group stage (2024)
Italy
Italy
Team
Italy
Method of qualification
Europe Qualifier
Date of qualification
5 – 11 July 2025
Venue(s)
Netherlands
Number of teams
2
Total times qualified
1
Last time qualified
—N/a
Previous best performance
—
Netherlands
Netherlands
Team
Netherlands
Method of qualification
7
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Super 12 (2022)
Namibia
Namibia
Team
Namibia
Method of qualification
Africa Qualifier
Date of qualification
26 September – 4 October 2025
Venue(s)
Zimbabwe
Number of teams
2
Total times qualified
4
Last time qualified
2024
Previous best performance
Super 12 (2021)
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Team
Zimbabwe
Method of qualification
7
Date of qualification
2022
Venue(s)
Super 12 (2022)
Nepal
Nepal
Team
Nepal
Method of qualification
Asia–EAP Qualifier
Date of qualification
8 – 17 October 2025
Venue(s)
Oman
Number of teams
3
Total times qualified
3
Last time qualified
2024
Previous best performance
Group stage (2014, 2024)
Oman
Oman
Team
Oman
Method of qualification
4
Date of qualification
2024
Venue(s)
Group stage (2016, 2021, 2024)
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
Team
United Arab Emirates
Method of qualification
3
Date of qualification
2022
Venue(s)
Group stage (2014, 2022)
Total
Total
Team
Total
Number of teams
20
Team
Method of qualification
Date of qualification
Venue(s)
Number of teams
Total times qualified
Last time qualified
Previous best performance
India
Hosts
16 November 2021
—N/a
2
10
2024
Winners (2007, 2024)
Sri Lanka
10
2024
Winners (2014)
Afghanistan
2024 Men's T20 World Cup (Top teams from the previous tournament, excluding hosts)
17 June 2024
West Indies United States
6(7)
8
2024
Semi-finals (2024)
Australia
10
2024
Winners (2021)
Bangladesh
9
2024
Super 8 (2007, 2024)
England
10
2024
Winners (2010, 2022)
South Africa
10
2024
Runners-up (2024)
United States
2
2024
Super 8 (2024)
West Indies
10
2024
Winners (2012, 2016)
Ireland
ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings
30 June 2024
—N/a
4(3)
9
2024
Super 8 (2009)
New Zealand
10
2024
Runners-up (2021)
Pakistan
10
2024
Winners (2009)
Scotland
21 January 2026
7
2024
Super 12 (2021)
Canada
Americas Qualifier
15 – 22 June 2025
Canada
1
2
2024
Group stage (2024)
Italy
Europe Qualifier
5 – 11 July 2025
Netherlands
2
1
—N/a
—
Netherlands
7
2024
Super 12 (2022)
Namibia
Africa Qualifier
26 September – 4 October 2025
Zimbabwe
2
4
2024
Super 12 (2021)
Zimbabwe
7
2022
Super 12 (2022)
Nepal
Asia–EAP Qualifier
8 – 17 October 2025
Oman
3
3
2024
Group stage (2014, 2024)
Oman
4
2024
Group stage (2016, 2021, 2024)
United Arab Emirates
3
2022
Group stage (2014, 2022)
Total
20
· Africa qualifier › Africa sub-regional qualifiers › Africa qualifier A
1
1
Pos
1
Team
Tanzania (H)
Pld
5
W
5
L
0
NR
0
Pts
10
NRR
4
Qualification
Advanced to the regional final
2
2
Pos
2
Team
Malawi
Pld
5
W
4
L
1
NR
0
Pts
8
NRR
3
3
3
Pos
3
Team
Ghana
Pld
5
W
3
L
2
NR
0
Pts
6
NRR
1
Qualification
Eliminated
4
4
Pos
4
Team
Cameroon
Pld
5
W
2
L
3
NR
0
Pts
4
NRR
−1
5
5
Pos
5
Team
Lesotho
Pld
5
W
1
L
4
NR
0
Pts
2
NRR
−2
6
6
Pos
6
Team
Mali
Pld
5
W
0
L
5
NR
0
Pts
0
NRR
−6
Pos
Team
Pld
W
L
NR
Pts
NRR
Qualification
1
Tanzania (H)
5
5
0
0
10
4
Advanced to the regional final
2
Malawi
5
4
1
0
8
3
3
Ghana
5
3
2
0
6
1
Eliminated
4
Cameroon
5
2
3
0
4
−1
5
Lesotho
5
1
4
0
2
−2
6
Mali
5
0
5
0
0
−6
· Africa qualifier › Africa sub-regional qualifiers › Africa qualifier B
1
1
Pos
1
Team
Zimbabwe
Pld
5
W
5
L
0
NR
0
Pts
10
NRR
8
Qualification
Advanced to the regional final
2
2
Pos
2
Team
Kenya (H)
Pld
5
W
4
L
1
NR
0
Pts
8
NRR
3
3
3
Pos
3
Team
Mozambique
Pld
5
W
3
L
2
NR
0
Pts
6
NRR
−1
Qualification
Eliminated
4
4
Pos
4
Team
Rwanda
Pld
5
W
2
L
3
NR
0
Pts
4
NRR
−1
5
5
Pos
5
Team
Seychelles
Pld
5
W
1
L
4
NR
0
Pts
2
NRR
−4
6
6
Pos
6
Team
Gambia
Pld
5
W
0
L
5
NR
0
Pts
0
NRR
−7
Pos
Team
Pld
W
L
NR
Pts
NRR
Qualification
1
Zimbabwe
5
5
0
0
10
8
Advanced to the regional final
2
Kenya (H)
5
4
1
0
8
3
3
Mozambique
5
3
2
0
6
−1
Eliminated
4
Rwanda
5
2
3
0
4
−1
5
Seychelles
5
1
4
0
2
−4
6
Gambia
5
0
5
0
0
−7
· Africa qualifier › Africa sub-regional qualifiers › Africa qualifier C
1
1
Pos
1
Team
Nigeria (H)
Pld
5
W
5
L
0
NR
0
Pts
10
NRR
5
Qualification
Advanced to the regional final
2
2
Pos
2
Team
Botswana
Pld
5
W
4
L
1
NR
0
Pts
8
NRR
1
3
3
Pos
3
Team
Sierra Leone
Pld
5
W
3
L
2
NR
0
Pts
6
NRR
2
Qualification
Eliminated
4
4
Pos
4
Team
Eswatini
Pld
5
W
2
L
3
NR
0
Pts
4
NRR
−0
5
5
Pos
5
Team
Saint Helena
Pld
5
W
1
L
4
NR
0
Pts
2
NRR
−1
6
6
Pos
6
Team
Ivory Coast
Pld
5
W
0
L
5
NR
0
Pts
0
NRR
−10
Pos
Team
Pld
W
L
NR
Pts
NRR
Qualification
1
Nigeria (H)
5
5
0
0
10
5
Advanced to the regional final
2
Botswana
5
4
1
0
8
1
3
Sierra Leone
5
3
2
0
6
2
Eliminated
4
Eswatini
5
2
3
0
4
−0
5
Saint Helena
5
1
4
0
2
−1
6
Ivory Coast
5
0
5
0
0
−10

References

  1. Following the Bangladesh Cricket Board's refusal to play in India, Bangladesh were replaced by Scotland, the next highes
  2. Although Scotland were eliminated in the qualifier; they qualified for the tournament based on ICC Rankings to replace B
  3. ESPNcricinfo Statsguru
    https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;orderby=runs;series=16381;series=16421;series=16490;series=16533;series=16573;series=16645;series=16654;series=16735;series=16784;series=16815;series=16872;series=17289;series=17317;series=17605;series=17617;template=results;type=batting
  4. ESPNcricinfo Statsguru
    https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=3;filter=advanced;orderby=wickets;series=16381;series=16421;series=16490;series=16533;series=16573;series=16645;series=16654;series=16735;series=16784;series=16815;series=16872;series=17289;series=17317;series=17605;series=17617;template=results;type=bowling
  5. "USA to stage T20 World Cup: 2024–2031 ICC Men's tournament hosts confirmed"
    https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/usa-to-stage-t20-world-cup-2024-2031-icc-mens-tournament-hosts-confirmed
  6. "Fixtures, groups released for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026"
    https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/fixtures-groups-released-for-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026
  7. "ICC shortlists venues for 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka"
    https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/2026-t20-world-cup-icc-shortlists-venues-in-india-and-sri-lanka-1510319
  8. International Cricket Council
    https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/stop-clock-set-to-become-a-permanent-fixture-in-white-ball-internationals-from-t20-world-cup-2024
  9. "All you need to know about 2026 T20 World Cup qualification"
    https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/130390/all-you-need-to-know-about-2026-t20-world-cup-qualification
  10. Ada Derana
    https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=97989
  11. Sportstar
    https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/t20-world-cup-2026-list-of-teams-qualified-automatic-qualification-super-eight-icc-rankings-pakistan-new-zealand-ireland/article68358992.ece
  12. BBC Sport
    https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cly1r1wjwxlo
  13. Reuters
    https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/bangladesh-replaced-by-scotland-t20-world-cup-reports-say-2026-01-24/
  14. Wisden
    https://www.wisden.com/series/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-2026/cricket-news/how-does-qualification-for-the-2026-t20-world-cup-work
  15. "Pathway to ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 set to begin with Europe Sub Regional Qualifier in Italy"
    https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/pathway-to-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026-set-to-begin-with-europe-sub-regional-qualifier-in-italy
  16. "Road to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 continues with Americas sub-regional Qualifier set for lift-off"
    https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/road-to-the-icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2026-continues-with-americas-sub-regional-qualifier-set-for-lift-off
  17. "Road to T20 World Cup 2026: Regional final line-ups set"
    https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/road-to-t20-world-cup-2026-regional-final-line-ups-set
  18. 2026 Men's T20 World Cup at ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 25 November 2025. Retrieved 1 November 2025.
    https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-2025-26-1502138
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