Associate nations ready to showcase talent at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup

Eight associate nations will compete at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. Here is a closer look at their paths to the competition and potential names to watch, starting with the debutants. In an era in which their footballers have struggled to make it to World Cups, Italian cricket is breaking new ground and will appear at the tournament for the first time.

Their journey began in European sub-regional qualifying, where they topped a group containing France, the Isle of Man, Luxembourg and Türkiye before beating Romania in the final on home soil. They then came through a nerve-shredding ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Regional Qualifier, where a narrow victory over the Netherlands in the final match saw the Italians pip Jersey to a spot in the tournament proper. Wayne Madsen will lead a side that includesJon-Jon Smuts, who was capped 19 times by South Africa, with Italy placed in Group C alongside England, Nepal, Scotland and West Indies.

Having previously featured at three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups, Canada made their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup debut in 2024, where they earned a notable win over full members Ireland. They are back and placed in Group D with Afghanistan, New Zealand, South Africa and the UAE, having won six from six at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Regional Qualifier. All-rounder Shivam Sharma took 11 scalps to finish as the competition’s leading wicket-taker and is one to watch.

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So too is 22-year-old captain Dilpreet Bajwa. Speaking before the tournament, head coach Ingleton Liburd said: “The players displayed exceptional commitment and focus throughout the qualifier. We’re fully focused on preparing the team to compete at the highest level.” Namibia will make their fourth successive appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after joining Zimbabwe as the two teams to make it through Africa’s Regional Qualifier.

Having won their three group games, JJ Smit starred in the crucial semi-final win over Tanzania which secured Namibia’s spot. The all-rounder first struck an unbeaten 61 before taking three for 16 with the ball.

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