The eagerly contested Europe Regional Final for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup concluded on July 11 in the Netherlands, with Italy and the Netherlands booking their places at the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

The journey to qualification was dramatic across the board. Italy, in particular, captured hearts with a historic campaign — beating Scotland by 12 runs in a crucial victory and holding their nerve in a tense final match against the host nation. A competitive total of 134/7 against the Netherlands was enough to keep their net run rate above Jersey’s, extinguishing the Channel Islanders’ hopes.

Italy's rise, often fueled by the leadership of Joe Burns, who joined the team in tribute to his late brother, has been nothing short of extraordinary.

For Italy, this marks a historic maiden qualification at any ICC World Cup — a reward for their plucky spirit, tactical nous, and growth over recent years. Having twice defeated an England XI in the European Cricket Championship and earned global recognition, Italy’s cricketing rise has been undeniable.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands remained composed, reinforcing their experience and pedigree on European soil with consistent play, ensuring they top the table and cruise to qualification.

These two European qualifiers now join the global field, set to compete among the world’s best teams. As Italy masks for debut glory and the Netherlands aim to improve on past World Cup performances, Europe’s presence in the 2026 edition will be stronger than ever.