3 emerging teams to watch out for in T20 World Cup 2026

Overview

• Italy scripted history in the T20 World Cup 2026 qualifiers by qualifying for an ICC tournament for the first time
• After failing to qualify for the Asia Cup 2025, Nepal ensured they qualified for the T20 World Cup for the second time in a row
• The 2024 hosts, USA, will be eyeing to go a notch above in 2026

All 20 teams for the T20 World Cup 2026 have qualified and some of the emerging teams will be eyeing to make a big mark in the tournament. Following the completion of the qualification process in the Asia-Pacific qualifiers, 8 Asian teams, 4 European teams, 3 teams each from America and Africa, and a couple of teams from Oceania qualified for the tournament.

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The basis of qualification for the tournament differed from teams. India and Sri Lanka qualified automatically for being the hosts. Teams like Afghanistan, South Africa, Australia, England, Bangladesh, USA, and the West Indies qualified after making it to the Super 8 in 2024. While Pakistan, New Zealand, and Ireland qualified based on rankings, other teams qualified through the Qualifiers.

3 emerging teams to watch out for in T20 World Cup 2026

USA

USA had a breakthrough performance in the T20 World Cup in 2024, which they jointly hosted along with the West Indies. In a group featuring higher ranked teams like India, Pakistan, and Ireland, USA finished second an qualified for the Super 8. While they didn't claim a win in the bigger stage, USA impressed with its performance.

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Making it to the Super 8 also ensured USA's qualification in the T20 World Cup 2026. In the upcoming edition, USA will be eyeing to qualify for the Super 8 again and win some matches. They have some of the highly talented players like Ali Khan, Saurabh Netrawalkar, and others, who can perform well against the top teams in the world.

Nepal

Nepal qualified for the T20 World Cup 2024 through the Qualifiers. Their rise in cricket has been good to watch, as they won the Silver Medal in the Asian Games 2023 by ooutpacing teams like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. However, the Asian side could not perform well in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they returned home without winning a match.

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What's more heartbreaking for them was the fact that they could not qualify for the Asia Cup 2025, despite being ranked among the best T20 teams in the world from the region. However, Nepal bounced back and qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026. They have some fine batters and handy All-rounders, who could make a difference in the T20 WC 2026.

Italy

Italy scripted history by qualifying for its first-ever ICC tournament. The European team displayed great efforts as a fielding unit in the European qualifiers and emerged ahead of a team like Scotland in the qualifiers. As a result, Italy qualified for the T20 World Cup 2026. 

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Italy is led by the former Australian cricketer, Joe Burns, who will be motivated to put the Italian Cricket on the world map in the grand tournament. Their fielding and bowling units could make them a team to watch out for. If they give their best throughout the tournament, there's a good chance of them claiming their maiden win in the tournament.