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Italy & Netherlands Qualify for T20 World Cup 2026
Italy and the Netherlands have officially secured their places in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after emerging as the top two teams from the Europe Regional Final. The 2026 edition of the tournament is scheduled to be held jointly in India and Sri Lanka between February and March next year.
Italy Make Historic Debut
Italy’s qualification marks a historic moment as they enter their first-ever senior ICC World Cup event. Despite losing their final match against the Netherlands by nine wickets in The Hague, Italy held on to a superior net run rate over rivals Jersey. That margin ensured their qualification, sparking celebrations within their growing cricket community.
One of the turning points in Italy’s campaign came against Scotland, where they pulled off a remarkable 12-run upset over the more experienced side. The team, led by players including former Australian Test cricketer Joe Burns, showed discipline and character throughout the qualifier.
Netherlands Extend Their Streak
The Netherlands continued their consistent performance on the world stage, securing qualification with an unbeaten run in the Europe final. In the final game, they chased down Italy’s 135-run target in just 16.2 overs, topping the group and confirming their spot for the main event. This will be the Dutch team’s seventh appearance in a T20 World Cup, highlighting their established presence in global cricket.
15 Teams Now Confirmed
With the Europe qualifiers concluded, 15 teams have now confirmed their participation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The remaining five slots will be filled through ongoing regional qualifiers in the East Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Americas regions. The tournament will feature 20 teams in total, promising a global showcase of emerging and established cricketing nations.
