Oman and Nepal have officially sealed their places in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, becoming the 18th and 19th teams to qualify for the global showpiece, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 6 to March 7.
Both teams confirmed qualification after a solid campaign at the T20 World Cup Asia–EAP Regional Final, currently underway in Muscat. Their top-two finish was guaranteed even before their Super Six face-off, following the UAE’s dominant 77-run win over Samoa earlier in the day — a result that made it mathematically impossible for any other side to overtake them.
Oman and Nepal’s road to qualification
Oman and Nepal were frontrunners throughout the qualifiers, maintaining consistent performances to stay ahead in the Super Six standings. The UAE’s win over Samoa effectively sealed the deal, confirming both sides’ progression regardless of the outcome of their remaining fixtures.
For Oman, this marks their third T20 World Cup appearance after earlier participations in 2016 and 2024. Entering the qualifiers as one of the strongest sides, Oman lived up to expectations with balanced performances in both batting and bowling.
Nepal, meanwhile, also earned their third T20 World Cup berth, having previously featured in 2014 and 2024. Known for their passionate fan base and improving cricket infrastructure, Nepal’s qualification reflects the country’s growing prominence on the international stage.
Both Oman and Nepal had competed in the first round of the 2024 edition held in the USA and Caribbean, and will now look to build on that experience heading into the 2026 tournament.
Final qualification spot still up for grabs
With 19 teams confirmed, just one spot remains open for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The last qualification berth from the Asia–EAP region will be contested between UAE and Japan.
UAE currently sit third on the Super Six table with four points and will face Japan in a crucial encounter on October 16. A victory for Japan could see them leapfrog UAE to claim the final place in the global event.
The 2026 T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams in total, with the tournament expected to be one of the largest editions in the competition’s history.