The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have officially qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 after a commanding eight-wicket win over Japan in the Asia-East Asia Pacific (EAP) Qualifier, confirming the final lineup for the tournament.
Pacer Haider Ali starred with figures of 3 for 20, helping UAE restrict Japan to just 117. In reply, openers Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu used their experience to make the chase look effortless, stitching together a 70-run partnership that sealed the win with plenty to spare.
With this victory, UAE joined Nepal and Oman as the final three teams from the Asia-EAP region to book their tickets to next year’s global showpiece, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams, following the same format as the 2024 edition. Four groups of five teams will compete in the first round, with the top two sides from each group advancing to the Super 8 stage. The best four will then move on to the semi-finals, culminating in a high-stakes final.
| Team | Qualification Path |
|---|---|
| India | Co-host |
| Sri Lanka | Co-host |
| Afghanistan | Top 7 from T20 World Cup 2024 (excluding hosts) |
| Australia | Top 7 from T20 World Cup 2024 (excluding hosts) |
| Bangladesh | Top 7 from T20 World Cup 2024 (excluding hosts) |
| England | Top 7 from T20 World Cup 2024 (excluding hosts) |
| South Africa | Top 7 from T20 World Cup 2024 (excluding hosts) |
| United States | Top 7 from T20 World Cup 2024 (excluding hosts) |
| West Indies | Top 7 from T20 World Cup 2024 (excluding hosts) |
| Ireland | ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings |
| New Zealand | ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings |
| Pakistan | ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings |
| Canada | Americas Qualifier |
| Netherlands | Europe Qualifier |
| Italy | Europe Qualifier |
| Namibia | Africa Qualifier |
| Zimbabwe | Africa Qualifier |
| Nepal | Asia/East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier |
| Oman | Asia/East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier |
| United Arab Emirates | Asia/East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier |
With the lineup now locked in, the countdown begins. Teams will shift focus to fine-tuning their squads, sharpening strategies, and building momentum for cricket’s biggest T20 spectacle. Expect fireworks, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable moments as the road to 2026 heats up.