Super Eight Teams Secure Automatic Qualification for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028

Dubai, Feb 2026 : The eight teams that have advanced to the Super Eights stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 have not only moved a step closer to this year’s title but have also sealed automatic qualification for the next edition of the tournament, scheduled to be held in Australia and New Zealand in 2028.

Pakistan became the final team to book a place in the Super Eights after registering a crucial victory over Namibia in Group A. With that win, Pakistan progressed alongside India, completing the Super Eights lineup from the group. From Group B, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe advanced, while Group C saw West Indies and England qualify. Group D was topped by South Africa and New Zealand, who also secured their places in the second round.

Under the tournament’s qualification rules, all teams reaching the Super Eights stage are guaranteed automatic entry into the next Men’s T20 World Cup. This provision rewards consistency and strong performances on the global stage, ensuring that the best-performing sides retain their place in the following edition of the competition.

In addition to these eight teams, Australia and New Zealand have already qualified automatically for the 2028 tournament as co-hosts. With their inclusion, a total of 10 teams are already confirmed for the next World Cup, providing early clarity on the core lineup for the event.

The list of automatic qualifiers will expand further to 12 teams. The remaining three direct spots will be awarded to the highest-ranked teams in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings as of March 9, the day after the final of the current tournament. As things stand, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Ireland are in line to claim those positions. With no scheduled international matches remaining before the cut-off date that could impact the rankings, their qualification appears highly likely.

The final eight places in the 20-team World Cup will be determined through regional qualification tournaments. These pathways are designed to ensure broad global representation, with slots allocated to different regions based on competitive balance and development goals, giving emerging cricketing nations a chance to reach the sport’s biggest T20 stage.

Meanwhile, attention now turns firmly to the Super Eights phase of the 2026 tournament, which is set to begin on February 21 and run until March 1. Matches will be played across venues in India and Sri Lanka, as the competition enters its most decisive phase.

The Super Eights will determine the four semifinalists, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. India head into this phase as defending champions, while West Indies, England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka all bring past World Cup-winning experience. South Africa and New Zealand remain consistent contenders on the global stage, and Zimbabwe have emerged as one of the surprise packages of the tournament, adding an element of unpredictability as the race for the semifinals intensifies.