The United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the 20th and last team to qualify for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup on Thursday. They beat Japan by eight wickets in the Asia-EAP Qualifier match held in Al Amerat.
Haider Ali was the star with the ball, taking 3 wickets for just 20 runs. Then, openers Alishan Sharafu and Muhammad Waseem put on a strong 70-run partnership to help UAE chase down Japan’s total of 117 runs.
Last 3 Teams Through
UAE joined Nepal and Oman as the final three teams to book their tickets to the tournament. All three came through the Asia-EAP Qualifier this week.
This will be Nepal’s second straight T20 World Cup and their third appearance overall. Oman will play in their fourth T20 World Cup, while UAE returns to the big stage for the third time and first since 2022.
Tournament Hosts and Defending Champions
The 2026 T20 World Cup will take place in India and Sri Lanka in early 2026. Both countries get automatic spots as hosts.
India enters the tournament as the defending champions. They won the 2024 final by beating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling match. India has won the T20 World Cup multiple times, joining England and the West Indies as the only teams with more than one title.
Top Teams from 2024 Tournament
Seven teams qualified by finishing in the top positions at the 2024 T20 World Cup in USA and the West Indies:
- South Africa
- Afghanistan
- England
- Australia
- Bangladesh
- USA
- West Indies
Teams Through Rankings and Regional Qualifiers
Three more teams made it through the ICC T20I rankings:
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Ireland
The remaining spots were filled through regional qualifying tournaments:
Americas: Canada
Europe: Italy and Netherlands (Italy will make their first-ever T20 World Cup appearance)
Africa: Namibia and Zimbabwe
Asia-EAP: Nepal, Oman, and UAE
Tournament Format
The 2026 event will use the same format as the 2024 tournament. Here’s how it works:
Group Stage: The 20 teams will be split into four groups of five teams each.
Super Eights: The top two teams from each group move forward to the Super Eights stage. These eight teams are divided into two groups of four.
Knockouts: The top two teams from each Super Eight group go to the semi-finals, followed by the final.
Complete List of Qualified Teams
Here is the complete list of all 20 teams in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
| Team | How They Qualified |
|---|---|
| India | Tournament Host |
| Sri Lanka | Tournament Host |
| Afghanistan | Top 7 at T20WC 2024 |
| Australia | Top 7 at T20WC 2024 |
| Bangladesh | Top 7 at T20WC 2024 |
| England | Top 7 at T20WC 2024 |
| South Africa | Top 7 at T20WC 2024 |
| USA | Top 7 at T20WC 2024 |
| West Indies | Top 7 at T20WC 2024 |
| Ireland | ICC T20 Rankings |
| New Zealand | ICC T20 Rankings |
| Pakistan | ICC T20 Rankings |
| Canada | Americas Qualifier |
| Italy | Europe Qualifier |
| Netherlands | Europe Qualifier |
| Namibia | Africa Qualifier |
| Zimbabwe | Africa Qualifier |
| Nepal | Asia/EAP Qualifier |
| Oman | Asia/EAP Qualifier |
| UAE | Asia/EAP Qualifier |
Looking Ahead
With all 20 teams now confirmed, cricket fans around the world can look forward to an exciting tournament in early 2026. The competition promises to be fierce, with defending champions India playing on home soil alongside co-hosts Sri Lanka.
Italy’s historic first appearance will be a special moment for European cricket, while established teams like Australia, England, and the West Indies will aim to add another title to their trophy cabinets.
The tournament will also feature exciting matchups between cricket’s traditional powerhouses and rising nations like the USA, who impressed at the 2024 event, and Afghanistan, who have become a force in T20 cricket.
As teams begin their preparations, the stage is set for what could be one of the most competitive T20 World Cups yet. Cricket fans can expect high-quality action, nail-biting finishes, and memorable moments when the tournament kicks off in India and Sri Lanka next year.
