A Dream Realized: Italy Reaches First-Ever Cricket World Cup
In a landmark moment for European cricket, the Italian men's national team has qualified for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup for the first time in history. The Azzurri, led by former Australian Test opener Joe Burns, secured their spot in the 2026 tournament, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. This achievement marks their debut appearance in a major ICC global tournament.
Italy Qualified For 2026 T20 World-Cup Date and Time
Italy officially booked their place in the T20 World Cup on Friday, July 11, 2025, during the final day of the Europe Regional Final held in The Hague. Despite losing their last match to the Netherlands, Italy's qualification was confirmed due to a superior net run rate over their closest rivals, Jersey.
Italy Qualified For 2026 T20 World-Cup
The Nail-Biting Finale
The final day of the qualifiers was filled with drama. Italy faced the Netherlands in their last match and were restricted to a total of 134 for 7. The key to their qualification was not winning, but avoiding a heavy defeat. Italy needed to ensure the Netherlands' chase went beyond the 15th over to protect their net run rate. They successfully stretched the game to the 17th over, which was enough to pip Jersey for the second qualification spot. The Netherlands won the match by nine wickets and finished at the top of the group, qualifying alongside Italy.
Key Performances on the Road to Glory
Several players were instrumental in Italy's historic campaign:
- Joe Burns: The former Australian Test player, eligible to play for Italy through his mother, has been a driving force for the team.
- Ben Manenti and Grant Stewart: These players provided crucial runs in the lower order, with Manenti scoring 30 and Stewart adding a late 25 in the final match against the Netherlands.
- Emilio Gay: The batsman, who has played for the England Lions, scored a vital 50 in Italy's shocking 12-run victory over cricket veterans Scotland earlier in the tournament. This upset was a pivotal moment that kept their qualification hopes alive.
- Roelof van der Merwe: While playing for the opposition, the veteran Dutch bowler's performance was notable in the final match, taking three wickets for just 15 runs.
A Monumental Achievement
For a nation predominantly known for its football prowess, this qualification is a seismic event for Italian cricket. The team's journey through the qualifiers, including a critical win over Scotland and holding their nerve in the final match, showcased their growth and determination. They finished the Europe Qualifiers with five points, the same as Jersey, but advanced with a net run rate of +0.612 compared to Jersey's +0.306. This achievement is a reward for their spirit and tactical growth in recent years.