The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 is capturing global attention with its thrilling matches in the USA and West Indies. However, in Europe, another exciting journey begins to determine the teams for the 2026 edition. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Sub Regional Qualifier A is set to kick off in Rome on Sunday, marking the first step towards India and Sri Lanka in 2026.
Ten teams, including the hosts Italy, will vie for advancement to the Europe Qualifier next year. Matches will be held across two venues, the Roma Cricket Ground and the Simar Cricket Ground, as teams like Austria, France, Hungary, Isle of Man, Israel, Luxembourg, Portugal, Romania, and Turkiye prepare to battle it out.
The competition will feature 24 matches over seven days, with teams facing off in a round-robin format before playoff matches on Sunday, including a crucial final showdown between the top teams from each group.
ICC Regional Development Manager for Europe, Andrew Wright, expressed excitement, highlighting the high standards of competition and thanking Italy for its preparations and hospitality. Federazione Cricket Italiana’s President, Fabio Marabini, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the honour of hosting such a prestigious tournament in Rome.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will include 20 teams, with 12 automatic qualifiers and eight teams from regional pathway events. The Europe Sub Regional Qualifier A is part of this pathway, with fixtures scheduled from June 9 to June 16, promising an exceptional showcase of cricket talent in one of the world’s most iconic cities.
Sunday, June 9:
– Italy vs Luxembourg (Roma Cricket Ground)
– Portugal vs Hungary (Simar Cricket Ground)
– Isle of Man vs France (Roma Cricket Ground)
– Austria vs Romania (Simar Cricket Ground)
Monday, June 10:
– Israel vs Austria (Roma Cricket Ground)
– Turkiye vs Isle of Man (Simar Cricket Ground)
– Romania vs Portugal (Roma Cricket Ground)
– France vs Italy (Simar Cricket Ground)
Wednesday, June 12:
– Italy vs Isle of Man (Roma Cricket Ground)
– Portugal vs Austria (Simar Cricket Ground)
– Luxembourg vs Turkiye (Roma Cricket Ground)
– Hungary vs Israel (Simar Cricket Ground)
Thursday, June 13:
– Hungary vs Romania (Roma Cricket Ground)
– Luxembourg vs France (Simar Cricket Ground)
– Israel vs Portugal (Roma Cricket Ground)
– Turkiye vs Italy (Simar Cricket Ground)
Saturday, June 15:
– Isle of Man vs Luxembourg (Roma Cricket Ground)
– Austria vs Hungary (Simar Cricket Ground)
– Romania vs Israel (Simar Cricket Ground)
Sunday, June 16:
– A2 vs B2 (3rd place playoff, Roma Cricket Ground)
– A4 vs B4 (7th place playoff, Simar Cricket Ground)
– A1 vs B1 (Final, Roma Cricket Ground)
– A3 vs B3 (5th place playoff, Simar Cricket Ground)
These fixtures promise thrilling cricket action as teams battle for supremacy on the road to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.