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[Saba Sports News] Teams are still scrambling for spots in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024, with extra motivation: a top-eight finish guarantees direct qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
The 2026 edition will feature 20 teams, with 12 automatically qualifying: the two co-hosts, India (already in the Super Eight) and Sri Lanka (not yet), plus the other 2024 Super Eight teams (excluding India), and the three highest-ranked teams outside these on the ICC’s T20I rankings as of June 30, 2024. The remaining eight spots will be decided through regional qualifiers.
The USA, needing just one point from their game against Ireland in Lauderhill, could secure a spot in their second consecutive T20 World Cup. Weather delays have added to the tension. Scotland needs to get past Australia in Gros Islet, where the forecast looks clear. Afghanistan has already secured their spot for 2026, while the Netherlands are competing with Bangladesh for the same, with Bangladesh favored.
For some Full Members, missing out on the Super 8s this year isn’t disastrous. Sri Lanka qualifies automatically as a co-host. England and Pakistan, if they lose to Scotland and the USA respectively, will still qualify based on their ICC rankings, as will New Zealand. Currently, England, New Zealand, and Pakistan are ranked Nos. 4, 6, and 7 respectively. Depending on other results, Ireland, ranked No. 11, might also qualify via rankings.
The ICC’s first qualifier tournament for the 2026 T20 World Cup, the Europe Sub-Regional Qualifier, begins tomorrow in Italy. Teams from across Europe will compete fiercely for spots in cricket’s premier T20 event, marking the start of a thrilling journey toward the 2026 World Cup. Each match carries significant weight in determining who will advance to the global stage, with the cricketing world closely watching to see who secures their coveted places in the 2026 mega event.