UAE defeated Japan in the Asia-EAP Qualifier 2025 to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026. (Photo: ICC)The United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the 20th and final team to qualify for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 6 to March 8 next year. UAE confirmed their qualification after defeating Japan in their final Super Six match of the T20 World Cup Asia-EAP Qualifier 2025 at the Al Amerat Cricket Ground (Ministry Turf 1) in Al Amerat on Thursday.
UAE made short work of Japan’s 119-run target as they chased down the total in just 12.1 overs, which made sure they finished third in the standings after their five matches. The win also denied World Cup opportunities for Japan, Samoa and Qatar.
Earlier on Wednesday, Oman and Nepal also secured their spots in the 2026 event. Oman and Nepal became the 18th and 19th teams to secure their qualification in the T20 World Cup. Nepal are unbeaten in the event, having won all four matches in the Super Six after winning the two group stage games.
This will be the UAE’s third entry in the T20 World Cup, having been part of the 2014 and 2022 World Cups. On both occasions, they failed to progress after the first round.
The upcoming edition will also be the second 20-team World Cup after the previous edition in 2024.
Canada from the Americas, Italy and the Netherlands from Europe, Namibia and Zimbabwe from Africa, Oman, Nepal and the UAE from Asia & EAP are the eight teams to qualify from the Qualifier events.
| Team | Method of qualification |
Last time qualified |
Total times qualified |
Previous best
performance |
| India |
Co-hosts
|
2024 | 10 |
Winners (2007, 2024)
|
| Sri Lanka | 2024 | 10 |
Winners (2014)
|
|
| Afghanistan |
2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
(Top 7 teams from the previous tournament, excluding hosts) |
2024 | 8 |
Semi-finals (2024)
|
| Australia | 2024 | 10 |
Winners (2021)
|
|
| Bangladesh | 2024 | 10 |
Super 8 (2007, 2024)
|
|
| England | 2024 | 10 |
Winners (2010, 2022)
|
|
| South Africa | 2024 | 10 |
Runners-up (2024)
|
|
|
United States
|
2024 | 2 |
Super 8 (2024)
|
|
| West Indies | 2024 | 10 |
Winners (2012, 2016)
|
|
| Ireland |
ICC T20I Rankings
|
2024 | 9 |
Super 8 (2009)
|
| New Zealand | 2024 | 10 |
Runners-up (2021)
|
|
| Pakistan | 2024 | 10 |
Winners (2009)
|
|
| Canada | Americas Qualifier | 2024 | 2 |
Group stage (2024)
|
| Italy |
Europe Qualifier
|
— | 1 | Debut |
| Netherlands | 2024 | 7 |
Super 12 (2022)
|
|
| Namibia |
Africa Qualifier
|
2024 | 4 |
Super 12 (2021)
|
| Zimbabwe | 2022 | 7 |
Super 12 (2022)
|
|
| Oman |
Asia & EAP Qualifier
|
4 | First round (2016, 2021, 2024) | |
| Nepal | 3 | First round (2014, 2024) | ||
| UAE | 3 | First round (2014, 2022) |
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