Canada have become the 13th team to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup after an unbeaten run in the American region qualifying finals.
How does the T20 World Cup qualification work?
The T20 World Cup expanded to 20 teams for the first time in its history during the 2024 edition, and the same format will remain in place for the upcoming tournament. Among the 20 participating teams, 12 have earned direct qualification: the two host nations (India and Sri Lanka), the top eight teams from the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the two next-highest-ranked sides in the ICC T20 rankings as of June 29, 2024 – the date of the previous edition’s final.
The remaining eight teams will be determined through sub-regional qualifiers, followed by regional finals organised by the ICC’s five developmental regions. Africa, Europe, and Asia each have two qualifying spots, while East Asia-Pacific and the Americas will have one spot each.
How did Canada qualify?
Although Canada competed in the 2024 T20 World Cup, they were eliminated in the group stage. Their ICC ranking on the cut-off date also fell short of direct qualification, forcing them to take the regional qualifiers route for the 2026 tournament.
Canada entered the Americas Regional Final as the favourites. They lived up to the expectations, winning their sixth match on the trot in a four-team event – Bahamas, Bermuda, and Cayman Islands are the other participants.
They sealed their place in the 2026 T20 World Cup with a seven-wicket win over the Bahamas on Saturday, coupled with Bermuda’s loss to the Cayman Islands the same day.
Against the Bahamas, Kaleem Sana and Shivam Sharma took three wickets each, bowling them out for just 57 runs. The chase was completed in 5.3 overs, with Dilpreet Bajwa dominating (36* off 14 balls). They followed this up with a six-wicket victory over Bermuda on Sunday, finishing the qualifiers three wins clear of their nearest rival to secure their tournament spot.
WE’RE GOING TO THE WORLD CUP AGAIN! 🌍🇨🇦
— Cricket Canada (@canadiancricket) June 22, 2025
Canada seals a 6-wicket win over Bermuda and punches the ticket to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026!
What a campaign. What a team. What a moment. 🙌#CricketCanada #WeCANCricket #BERvCAN #RoadTo2026 pic.twitter.com/0nDDMiIErx
Canada have now joined host nations India and Sri Lanka, along with the other pre-qualified teams: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, South Africa, the United States, the West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, and Pakistan.
The USA, joint hosts of the 2024 T20 World Cup, made their tournament debut and punched above their weight, most notably with a shock win over 2009 champions Pakistan. This victory proved crucial, helping them secure a Super Eights berth and, consequently, automatic qualification for the 2026 edition. Their rapid rise, however, spells bad news for Full Member Zimbabwe.
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