Italy qualify for 2026 T20 World Cup for the firs time in their history as Netherlands joined them in securing qualification.
Despite losing to the Netherlands in The Hague, Italy has qualified for the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. It will be Italy’s first time participating in a cricket World Cup next year. The Netherlands easily chased 135 and qualified for the event as well.
Following a last-ball loss to Jersey earlier in the day, Scotland—who have participated in the last four T20 World Cups—were eliminated. Jersey was eliminated after the Netherlands defeated Italy, even though they managed to heist one wicket. Jersey and Italy both had five points, but Italy’s higher net run-rate ultimately led to their advancement to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Italy only had to prolong the Netherlands’ chase to 16.2 overs in order to escape a crushing loss. In the fifteenth over, they secured their spot in the T20 World Cup for the following year, before the Netherlands finished their task and joined Italy.
Italy lost both of their openers, Emilio Gay and Justin Mosca, in three overs after choosing to bat, and they were 41 for three when skipper Joe Burns (22) was dismissed in the seventh over. Marcus Campopiano, the wicketkeeper-batter, too fell cheaply, and in the ninth over, Italy was at 46 for 4. After that, Ben Manenti and the bottom order came together to help Italy reach a respectably competitive score of 134 for 7.
The Netherlands’ best bowler was Roelof van der Merwe, who took three wickets for fifteen in four overs, including the crucial one of Burns.
No. 7 Grant Stewart (25 off 16) and No. 8 Anthony Mosca (13* off 14) provided Manenti some help. With 15 runs off the penultimate over, which was bowled by all-rounder Bas de Leede, Italy took 33 from the final three overs.
So far, 15 teams have earned a spot in the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup. Three more teams will advance from the competition in the East-Asia Pacific qualifier, and two more teams will advance from the Africa qualifier.