ICC T20 World Cup 2026: All You Need To Know About Regional Qualifiers
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: The race for qualification for the mega event is heating up, and here's all you need to know about the Regional Finals.
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: 2024 is about to come to an end, and the calendar year fo 2025 marks the start of an epic adventure for the associate nations, as they dream to seal a place in the mega event that goes by the name of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
The ICC events do not allow the reigning champions an automatic entry in the upcoming edition, but by the virtue of being the co-hosts, India have already sealed an automatic entry alongside Sri Lanka (co-host).
The 2026 edition will feature the same format as that of 2024 — 20 teams divided in four groups, consisting 5 teams each, followed by a Super 8, then semis, and the grand finale.
India and Sri Lanka are already confirmed participants. Therefore, all the teams in the world are going to fight for the 18 remaining spots.
But who all can qualify for the remaining slots? Let's have a look:
- Top 8 teams (as per the rankings of ICC, with the cut-off date set at June 30, 2024) and teams who featured in Super 8 of the 2024 edition.
- This imples that Australia, South Africa, West Indies, England, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and USA have already made a cut into the next edition.
- Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland failed to qualify for the Super 8, but by the virtue of their ICC Rankings, they also make into the next edition.
- Therefore, only 8 slots remain open for the likes of heavy-favourites amongst associate nations such as Nepal, Netherlands, Scotland, Canada, and Oman.
Regional Finals Remaining Slots Allotment For Each Region | In Detail
Eight slots remain open for four regions, namely, Asia/East Asia-Pacific; Americas; Africas; Europe.
1. Asia/East Asia-Pacific
- Slots Alloted: 3
- Teams Contesting: Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Samoa, UAE
2. Americas
- Slots Alloted: 1
- Teams Contesting: Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands
3. Africas
- Slots Alloted: 2
- Teams Contesting: Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe
4. Europe
- Slots Alloted: 2
- Teams Contesting: Guernsey, Italy, Jersey, Netherlands, Scotland