Europe’s cricket underdogs get their shot at glory at 2028 T20 World Cup

DUBAI: Cricket’s European hopefuls have been handed their roadmap to the big time. The International Cricket Council has unveiled the qualification pathway for the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup, with 30 nations set to slug it out across three sun-kissed—and occasionally drizzly—corners of the continent next year.

Cyprus will host its first ICC T20 World Cup pathway event, and its first ICC gathering of any kind since 2009. Denmark gets to play host for the first time at senior level, having impressed with an under-19 qualifier last year. And Finland? The Finns are back for more, building on the momentum of hosting two ICC events in 2022.

The format is straightforward: divide and conquer. Europe’s competing teams will be split across three tournaments in May, July and August 2026, with the cream rising to the top and progressing to the next stage of qualification. The ultimate prize? A spot at cricket’s most frenetic global jamboree in 2028.

England, Ireland, Italy and the Netherlands will sit this round out, having already earned their stripes by qualifying for next year’s T20 World Cup. For everyone else, it’s game on.

ICC’s regional development manager for Europe Andy Wright couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. “The pathway will showcase the tremendous depth and development of cricket across Europe,” he said. Translation: the minnows are coming, and they’re hungry.

The draw pairs Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Guernsey, Jersey, Malta, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland in Cyprus. Denmark’s qualifier features Belgium, Estonia, Gibraltar, Hungary, Norway, Romania, Scotland, Serbia and Türkiye. Finland rounds out the action with Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Greece, the Isle of Man, Israel, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain.

Fixtures, venues and start times will be confirmed after next March’s World Cup wraps up. Until then, Europe’s cricket hopefuls can dream big. After all, every giant-killing begins with a single qualifier.