The excitement is building for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with a total of 20 teams expected to compete. So far, 19 teams have sealed their spots, and just one slot remains to be decided. This article brings you the latest qualified teams, the remaining pathway, tournament format, dates, and key highlights.
T20 World Cup 2026 Qualified Teams
As of October 2025, these 19 teams have confirmed their places for the T20 World Cup 2026:
| # | Country | Mode of Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | Co-host |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | Co-host |
| 3 | Afghanistan | 2024 T20 World Cup performance |
| 4 | Australia | 2024 T20 World Cup performance |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 2024 T20 World Cup performance |
| 6 | England | 2024 T20 World Cup performance |
| 7 | South Africa | 2024 T20 World Cup performance |
| 8 | United States | 2024 T20 World Cup performance |
| 9 | West Indies | 2024 T20 World Cup performance |
| 10 | Ireland | High ranking / qualifiers criteria |
| 11 | New Zealand | High ranking / qualifiers criteria |
| 12 | Pakistan | High ranking / qualifiers criteria |
| 13 | Canada | Americas Regional Final |
| 14 | Netherlands | Europe Qualifier |
| 15 | Italy | Europe Qualifier |
| 16 | Namibia | Africa Regional Final |
| 17 | Zimbabwe | Africa Regional Final |
| 18 | Nepal | Asia Regional Final |
| 19 | Oman | Asia Regional Final |
- Italy made history by qualifying for their first-ever T20 World Cup.
- Namibia and Zimbabwe sealed their spots by reaching the final in the African Qualifier.
- Nepal and Oman booked their places through the Asia Qualifier, joining the big stage once again.
- Canada marched through the Americas Qualifier with an unbeaten run.
These 19 teams are locked in, and fans now await the final qualifier nation to complete the lineup of 20.
Read Also :- First T20 World Cup Winner: India 2007 | Scorecard, Captain
Remaining Path: Asia & EAP Qualifier
The Asia & East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier will now decide the final one team for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Key details:
- The qualifying event begins October 8, 2025 in Oman.
- Teams competing include Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Qatar, Samoa, UAE, and others.
- The winner of this tournament will take the final World Cup slot.
Once the Asia/EAP Qualifier concludes, the final 20-team line-up for T20 World Cup 2026 will be confirmed.
Dates, Format & Venue Overview
Tournament Window
- Likely dates: February 7 to March 8, 2026
- Co-hosts: India and Sri Lanka
- The final is expected in Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on logistics and political factors (especially if Pakistan is involved).
Format
- The format mirrors the 2024 edition:
- 20 teams divided into 4 groups of 5
- Top 2 teams from each group advance to the Super 8 stage
- In Super 8, teams split into 2 groups of 4
- Top 2 from each Super 8 group progress to semi-finals and then final
Venues
- At least 5 venues in India
- 2 venues in Sri Lanka
- Final venue contingent on India–Pakistan matchups and security factors.
See Also :- T20 World Cup Winners List (2007–2024): Captains, Finals
Highlights from Recent Qualifiers
African Qualifier
- Namibia defeated Tanzania in their semi-final by 63 runs to advance.
- Zimbabwe dominated Kenya, restricting them to 122/6 and chasing the target with 7 wickets and 5 overs to spare.
- Brian Bennett scored 51 off 25 balls, while Blessing Muzarabani took 2 for 19 in 4 overs.
Europe & Americas
- In Europe, Netherlands and Italy secured their spots.
- In the Americas, Canada was unbeaten in the regional final, winning all six matches to qualify.
Asia Qualifier Highlights
- Nepal and Oman earned qualification after finishing top in the Asia Regional Final 2025 held in Oman.
- Nepal defeated UAE in a thrilling final match, while Oman secured their spot with a crucial win over Malaysia.
- Both teams will make their return to the World Cup stage in 2026.
What to Watch Next
- The final Asia/EAP Qualifier in October 2025 will determine the last World Cup participant.
- The complete list of 20 teams will trigger the release of official group draws and fixtures.
- Venue announcements and broadcast details will follow shortly after qualification ends.
- Political and logistical factors could influence the final match locations for high-profile fixtures.
Expectations
- With 19 teams confirmed, only one spot remains open — the battle intensifies among Asia/EAP contenders like UAE and PNG.
- Hosts India and Sri Lanka aim to capitalize on home advantage in front of massive crowds across both countries.
The journey to the T20 World Cup 2026 is reaching its final phase. With 19 teams confirmed and one slot left to decide, cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the Asia/EAP Qualifier results. Once the 20th team is locked in, the ICC will announce the official schedule and groupings for the tournament taking place from February to March 2026 across India and Sri Lanka. The stage is set for a spectacular global showdown of bat and ball.



