Namibia qualify for T20 World Cup 2026

Published - 02 Oct 2025, 18:30 IST | Updated - 02 Oct 2025, 18:31 IST

Namibia became the 16th team to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2026, to be jointly held in India and Sri Lanka, following a 63-run victory over Tanzania in the first semifinal of the Africa Regional Qualifier in Harare on Thursday, October 2.

The African qualifying tournament will see one more team advance to the global event. Zimbabwe and Kenya will clash in the second semifinal later on Thursday, with the winner securing the final African spot for next year’s showpiece event. The final of the qualifier is scheduled for Saturday, though the result will not impact qualification, as both finalists will already have earned their tickets.

Before Namibia’s qualification, 15 teams had already confirmed their participation in the 20-team tournament. The remaining three spots will be filled through the Asia and East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, which gets underway on October 8 in Oman. Teams competing for these places include Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Samoa, and the United Arab Emirates.

Next year’s edition will mark Namibia’s fourth appearance at a T20 World Cup, having previously featured in 2021, 2022, and 2024. The team’s most memorable moment came in 2022 when they stunned Sri Lanka, creating one of the most historic upsets in the country’s cricketing history. With qualification secured, Namibia now looks ahead to the global tournament, hoping to build on their previous performances and make a significant impact on the big stage.

India (host), Sri Lanka (host), Afghanistan (Super Eight), Australia (Super Eight), Bangladesh (Super Eight), England (Super Eight), South Africa (Super Eight), West Indies (Super Eight), United States of America (Super Eight), Pakistan (ICC Rankings), New Zealand (ICC Rankings), Ireland (ICC Rankings), Canada (Americas Regional Final), Netherlands (Europe Regional Final), and Italy (Europe Regional Final), Namibia (Africa Regional Final)