Italy Qualify for T20 World Cup for the First Time

In a historic achievement, Italy have secured their maiden spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka in 2026.

Despite losing their final European Qualifier match to the Netherlands, Italy advanced thanks to a superior net run rate, edging out Jersey in a tense finish.

The Netherlands comfortably chased down 135 to book their own World Cup place. Meanwhile, Jersey stunned Scotland with a last-ball, one-wicket win in a dramatic contest—but fell short on net run rate.

Both Italy and Jersey finished with five points, but Italy’s better net run rate sealed their qualification.

It means Scotland—who had appeared in four previous T20 World Cups—miss out entirely. From the European qualifiers, the two teams heading to the 2026 T20 World Cup are the Netherlands and Italy.