A total of 12 teams will automatically qualify for the 2026 tournament. This group comprises the eight teams that reach the Super Eight stage, the co-hosts (Sri Lanka), and other top-ranked teams that did not advance to the Super Eight.
The eight teams advancing to this year's Super Eight stage in cricket will also earn spots in the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
This ensures automatic qualification for Australia, South Africa, India, West Indies, Afghanistan, and USA. Additionally, two more teams progressing to the Super Eight will secure berths for the 2026 tournament.
According to the regulations, the Super Eight participants and the host nations automatically qualify for the next event, guaranteeing Sri Lanka's participation as co-hosts. Therefore, a total of nine places are already confirmed.
In all, 12 teams will receive direct entry into the 2026 tournament. This includes the eight teams from the Super Eight, the co-hosts (Sri Lanka), and other top-ranked teams that didn't reach the Super Eight stage.
Pakistan, currently ranked seventh in the ICC rankings with 241 rating points, and New Zealand, ranked one spot above with 247 rating points, are strong contenders for two of the remaining three automatic spots.
If England, ranked fourth with 256 rating points, fails to make it to the Super Eight, they too will qualify automatically for the 2026 tournament alongside New Zealand and Pakistan.
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