All 20 teams that will participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next year, to be held in India and Sri Lanka, were confirmed on Thursday after the United Arab Emirates became the final side to secure its berth for the global showpiece.
The UAE, along with Nepal and Oman, booked their spots for the tournament after guaranteeing a top-three finish at the Asia/East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Muscat.
The T20 World Cup 2026, to be held between February and March, will comprise 20 teams for a second consecutive edition.
India and Sri Lanka qualified automatically by virtue of being hosts, while Australia, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, England, South Africa, USA and West Indies punched their tickets after finishing in the top seven at the T20 World Cup in 2024.
Pakistan, Ireland and New Zealand secured their berths via the ICC T20 rankings. Meanwhile, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Oman and the UAE qualified for the showpiece through the regional qualifying tournaments.
Italy will be the only team making its first appearance at the T20 World Cup. Scotland, Uganda and Papua New Guinea are the three sides that took part in the last T20 World Cup, but failed to make the cut this time around.
T20 WORLD CUP 2026 – FULL LIST OF TEAMS AND QUALIFICATION PATHWAY
- India (host)
- Sri Lanka (host)
- Afghanistan (Top 7 finish at T20 World Cup 2024)
- Australia (Top 7 finish at T20 World Cup 2024)
- Bangladesh (Top 7 finish at T20 World Cup 2024)
- England (Top 7 finish at T20 World Cup 2024)
- South Africa (Top 7 finish at T20 World Cup 2024)
- USA (Top 7 finish at T20 World Cup 2024)
- West Indies (Top 7 finish at T20 World Cup 2024)
- Ireland (ICC Men’s T20 Team Rankings)
- New Zealand (ICC Men’s T20 Team Rankings)
- Pakistan (ICC Men’s T20 Team 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)
Published on Oct 17, 2025
