In a historic moment for Italian sport, Italy’s national cricket team has qualified for their first-ever ICC T20 World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka in 2026. A country globally renowned for its footballing heritage, Italy has now caught the attention of the cricketing world with this remarkable achievement.

From Football Frustrations to Cricket Glory

While the Azzurri have faced recent disappointments in football—missing the last two FIFA World Cups and yet to seal qualification for the upcoming edition—their cricket team has emerged as a beacon of sporting hope.

Led by former Australian cricketer Joe Burns, Italy stormed through the qualifiers with memorable victories over Guernsey and Scotland, ensuring their place in the marquee T20 tournament. Despite a defeat in their final group match against the Netherlands, Italy’s earlier performances were enough to seal second place in the league standings and a ticket to the T20 World Cup.

Key Performances Seal the Deal

Against Scotland, Italy delivered a superb all-round performance. Emilio Gay anchored the innings with a solid half-century, while Harry Manenti scored a crucial 38 and Grant Stewart provided late fireworks with an unbeaten 44. Italy posted a competitive 167 runs.

Manenti shone with the ball as well, claiming 5 wickets and ensuring a 12-run victory in a tightly contested match.

In the clash against the Netherlands, Italy struggled early at 46/4, but a gritty effort from Manenti and Stewart helped them reach 134 runs. Although the Dutch chased it down comfortably to top the group, Italy’s second-place finish was still enough to secure qualification.

Australia’s Influence and ICC’s Support

Italy’s cricketing resurgence can be partly credited to the inclusion of former Australian domestic players like Joe Burns and Harry Manenti, who have Italian heritage and have switched allegiances under ICC eligibility rules.

The ICC’s sustained efforts to support and develop associate nations through funding, coaching, and tournament opportunities have been instrumental in growing the game beyond traditional cricketing powerhouses.

What This Means for Italy

This qualification marks a watershed moment in Italian cricket history. From playing in relative obscurity to now featuring on the global stage, Italy’s journey will inspire many associate nations and cricket enthusiasts across Europe.

As the countdown to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 begins, the Azzurri will aim to further establish themselves as a competitive force and carry the momentum into the biggest cricketing stage.