Introduction
On July 11, 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a historic milestone for Italian cricket: the national team qualified for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking their first-ever appearance in this prestigious tournament. This achievement came during the Europe Region Qualifier in The Hague, where Italy’s performance, despite a loss to the Netherlands, secured their spot with a superior net run rate over Jersey. This survey note explores Italy’s qualification, the details of the upcoming tournament, and the list of qualified teams, drawing from recent announcements and official sources
Italy’s Qualification Journey
Italy’s qualification is a significant moment for a country where cricket has traditionally been overshadowed by football. The team, led by Joe Burns, a former Australian Test cricketer, showcased resilience and skill. Burns, whose mother is Italian, switched allegiance to represent Italy, driven by a personal tribute to his late brother. He wears the number 85 jersey, reflecting his brother’s club cricket number, adding an emotional layer to their success. In the qualifier, Italy scored 134 for 7 against the Netherlands, with contributions from Ben Manenti and lower-order batsmen like Grant Stewart (25 off 16) and Anthony Mosca (13 not out). Although the Netherlands chased the total in 16.2 overs, Italy’s earlier performances ensured their qualification, highlighting the impact of diaspora talent and strategic eligibility reforms.Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with fans celebrating “Grandi Azzurri!!” and some humorously predicting upsets against stronger teams like Pakistan. This reflects growing excitement and pride, especially given Italy’s cricket history, which includes being an associate member of the ICC since 1995 and finishing last in the 1997 ICC Trophy.
Qualified Teams and Remaining Spots
As of July 12, 2025, 15 teams have qualified for the 2026 T20 World Cup, including the hosts India and Sri Lanka, and other cricket powerhouses like Australia, England, and Pakistan, alongside emerging nations.
