Post by : Mariam
Al-Faris
The United Arab Emirates cricket team has secured its place in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after a decisive eight-wicket win over Japan in Al Amarat. This victory ensured that UAE finished among the top three in the Asia/East Asia-Pacific qualifier, claiming the last available spot for the prestigious tournament. They join Nepal and Oman as the final teams to qualify from the regional competitions.
UAE captain Muhammed Waseem shared his pride in the team’s achievement and expressed optimism for the World Cup. Speaking in a video posted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Waseem said, “It’s a very proud moment for us as a team, and I’m very happy with the performance of the team. We played like a champion team here. I have belief in my team that they will do better in the upcoming games and in the World Cup. I’m pretty sure we’ll produce some excellent performance in the World Cup.”
The UAE victory ended the qualifying hopes of Japan, Samoa, and Qatar, who had competed strongly but fell short of reaching the top three. The win highlights UAE’s growth and readiness to compete on the world stage, setting the stage for a challenging yet exciting tournament ahead.
Several teams qualified automatically for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Former champions England and Australia, alongside five other top-seven finishers from the 2024 World Cup, secured their spots without going through regional qualifiers. The United States also qualified automatically after finishing in the top seven during the 2024 edition, which they co-hosted with the West Indies. Canada claimed the lone Americas qualifying spot, while Italy and the Netherlands qualified from Europe. Namibia and Zimbabwe secured the two spots from the Africa qualifier.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not yet confirmed the detailed schedule, but the 2026 T20 World Cup is expected to take place in February-March. India enters the tournament as the defending champion. UAE will aim to showcase its talent and compete strongly against some of the world’s leading cricket teams. With a growing squad of skilled players and a positive team spirit, UAE hopes to make a significant impact on the global stage.
The qualification represents the culmination of hard work, strategic planning, and strong performances during the qualifiers. UAE’s players have gained experience competing in international events, and this achievement reinforces the nation’s rising presence in cricket. The team will now focus on rigorous preparations, training camps, and friendly matches to ensure they are ready to face top-tier competition in India and Sri Lanka next year.
English
