Italy could qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Yes, you read that right! Known more for its love of football and tennis, Italy is now making headlines in the cricketing world. Their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 T20 World Cup received a major boost after defeating Scotland in the Europe Regional Final Qualifier. The 2026 T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka, will feature 20 teams. So far, 13 teams have secured their spots, while the race for the remaining 7 is still on.
Under the leadership of former Australian batter Joe Burns, Italy’s impressive victory has brought them to the brink of qualifying for their first-ever ICC tournament—provided they overcome the challenge posed by the Netherlands on Friday, July 11.
When the European qualifiers began on July 5, five teams were in the race to book a ticket to the T20 World Cup. As the final stage approaches, Guernsey has been eliminated, leaving a close contest between the Netherlands, Italy, Scotland, and Jersey.
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At the end of the single round-robin phase on Friday, the top two teams will qualify for the World Cup. With some surprising results and two matches washed out due to rain, Italy now finds itself in a strong position to make history. However, they must face the Netherlands in a crucial match, while Jersey will go up against Scotland.
Currently, Italy leads the table with 5 points from 3 matches, followed by the Netherlands with 4, and both Jersey and Scotland with 3 points each.
How Can Italy Qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup?
If Italy defeats the Netherlands in their final match, they will secure direct qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, if they lose, the outcome will depend on Net Run Rate (NRR). The winner of the Jersey vs Scotland clash will also move to 5 points, and among the teams tied on points, the top two based on NRR will go through to the World Cup alongside the Netherlands.