T20 World Cup 2026 – USA qualifies – India and Sri Lanka to co-host
Teams still chasing places in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 have an extra incentive to get the job done: a place in the top eight guarantees direct qualification for the T20 World Cup, in 2026.
The next edition will have 20 teams like this one, with 12 qualifiers: the two hosts – India (who made the Super Eight) and Sri Lanka (who didn’t) – and the other teams in the Super. There are eight in 2024 (that’s seven, excluding India), and the three top-ranked teams outside of these in the ICC T20I rankings as of June 30, 2024. That’s 12. The remaining eight places will be decided through the ICC regional qualifiers.
However, this does not mean the destruction of other Full Members who have already been eliminated from the competition this year. Sri Lanka will book their place as co-hosts, while England – if they do not lose to Scotland – will still be on points with the ICC rankings. The same goes for Pakistan and New Zealand. Currently, England, New Zealand and Pakistan are ranked 4th, 6th and 7th respectively, well clear of other teams that may need to rely on rankings. Depending on how other results go, Ireland, at No. 11, may pass through the ranking.
*This article was updated after the USA qualified for the Super Eight.
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