UAE becomes last team to qualify for T20 World Cup 2026

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially booked its place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, becoming the 20th and final team to qualify for the marquee event to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 6 to March 7. Muhammad Waseem-led team sealed their spot after a convincing win over Japan in the Asia/East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier held in Oman. 

The 2026 edition of the T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams for the second consecutive time, continuing the ICC’s vision to expand the game globally. With Nepal and Oman already securing their top-three positions earlier in the week, the UAE’s win over Japan ensured they joined the duo as Asia–EAP representatives, finalising the lineup for next year’s competition.

Facing Japan in a crucial Super Six encounter, the UAE were clinical from the start. Japan’s innings never got going after losing early wickets. Muhammad Farooq’s direct hit run-out to dismiss Abhishek Anand, followed by Haider Ali’s effective spell that removed Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Esam Rahman, gave the team a huge advantage. Haider finished with impressive figures of 3/12 in three overs as Japan stumbled to 25/3 inside the Powerplay. 

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Despite a fightback from wicketkeeper-batter Wataru Miyauchi, who scored an unbeaten 45 off 32 balls, Japan could only manage 116 runs. UAE’s skipper Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu dominated the Japanese bowling, racing to 36/0 within the first three overs. Waseem’s 42 (26) and Sharafu’s 46 (27) ensured the UAE completed the chase in just 13 overs to seal their T20 World Cup berth. The victory not only eliminated Japan from the qualification race but also ended the hopes of Qatar and Samoa, who were dependent on a Japanese win to stay alive in the tournament.