Cricket fans around the globe are setting their sights on Oman this October, as the country readies itself to host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifier.
This critical qualifier will feature nine determined teams competing for three prized places in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The tournament brings together top performers from the 2024 sub-regional qualifiers — Kuwait, Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Japan, and Samoa — along with seasoned sides Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and hosts Oman. Oman, Nepal, UAE, and Papua New Guinea all have prior T20 World Cup experience, making them favorites heading into the event and adding star power to an already competitive field.
Scheduled to run from October 8 to 17, the 10-day contest begins with a round-robin group stage from October 8 to 10. The nine teams are divided into three groups.
Group 1 includes UAE, Malaysia, and Qatar, while Group 2 will see Nepal face off against Kuwait and Japan. Hosts Oman will battle Papua New Guinea and Samoa in Group 3.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Six stage, held from October 12 to 17. This stage will determine the three teams that qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, turning up the intensity as each match could decide a team’s World Cup fate.
Women’s T20 World Cup Pathway Kicks Off in Fiji
Meanwhile, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 pathway also begins with the East Asia-Pacific qualifier scheduled in Suva, Fiji, from September 9 to 15.
The tournament will feature eight teams: Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Japan, Samoa, Cook Islands, and the Philippines.
These teams will be split into two groups of four. After the group stages, the top teams will clash in a final that will decide who advances to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier. The winner will edge closer to a coveted spot in women’s cricket’s premier tournament.
With thrilling action ahead in both men’s and women’s qualifiers, cricket fans can expect a thrilling build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cups.