T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier: UAE gears up for crucial Oman showdown
Teams from Asia and Pacific to clash in high-stakes tournament
DUBAI: Oman is set to become the centre of cricketing action this October as it hosts the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, according to International Cricket Council (ICC).
The 10-day tournament, beginning on October 8, will see nine regional teams compete for just three coveted spots at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Among the contenders, the UAE is positioned as a strong force, joining a mix of seasoned and emerging cricketing nations.
The teams qualified via sub-regional events held earlier in 2024, with the UAE, Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, Japan, and Samoa earning their places alongside Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and hosts Oman. Notably, four of these – UAE, Nepal, Oman, and Papua New Guinea – have prior T20 World Cup experience.
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Group Stage line-up
The tournament will kick off with the group stage from October 8 to 10. Teams have been divided into three groups:
- Group 1: UAE, Malaysia, Qatar
- Group 2: Nepal, Kuwait, Japan
- Group 3: Oman, Papua New Guinea, Samoa
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage.
Super Six format
The Super Six round will run from October 12 to 17. From there, the top three performing teams will secure their qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Cricket fans across the region will closely watch the UAE's journey, as the national team sets its sights on another global appearance. The qualifier promises to deliver high-octane matchups, bringing together cricketing styles and talents from across Asia and the Pacific.