Road to the 2026 T20 World Cup: definition of regional final line-ups

Asia/East Asia-Pacific

Regional qualifying places available: 3
Teams: Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Samoa, United Arab Emirates

Perhaps the most intriguing event, budding qualifiers across two regions will combine in a nine-team Asia/East Asia-Pacific tournament, with three tournament spots up for grabs.

Nearly 16,000 kilometers stretch from far eastern Samoa to western Kuwait during the tournament, and the unknowns in opposition and playing styles make these qualifiers arguably the most open.

Due to their participation in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Nepal, Oman and Papua New Guinea were automatic participants in the hybrid qualifiers, with the other six coming from two sub-regional events in each region.

In East Asia and the Pacific, Samoa surprised the field by winning their place in the Sub-Regional A Qualifier, beating Cook Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji on home soil in Apia.

Caleb Jasmat’s team qualified in a thriller final on the final day of the competition, beating Vanuatu in a tense defense of 145, breaking the hearts of Cook Islands players who watched as they were overtaken by the victory of Samoa.

Continue reading: Cinderella story over as Samoa keep 2026 T20 World Cup dream alive