Canada have officially secured their spot in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year. The Canadian team secured their qualification with a resounding seven-wicket victory over Bahamas during the Americas Qualifier held at the Maple Leaf Cricket Ground in Ontario. This win marked their fifth consecutive victory in the regional tournament, highlighting their supremacy and earning them a coveted place in the prestigious global event.
Canada qualify for T20 World Cup 2026
The decisive match against the Bahamas, held at the Maple Leaf North-West Ground, saw Canada's formidable bowling attack. After choosing to field first, the Canadian bowlers executed a ruthless performance, dismantling the Bahamian batting lineup for a meager 57 runs in 19.5 overs. Kaleem Sana and Shivam Sharma were the architects of Bahamas' batting collapse, taking three wickets each for 6 and 16 runs, respectively, with their pace and precision proving too much for the opposition. Notably, nine of the Bahamas batters returned to the hut after recording single digit scores including two ducks. The subsequent run chase was a mere formality, with Dilpreet Bajwa leading the charge with an explosive unbeaten 36 from just 14 balls, guiding Canada to victory in only 5.3 overs
Canada's journey through the Americas Qualifiers, under the leadership of Nicholas Kirton, was nothing short of commanding. Their campaign began with a massive 110-run victory over Bermuda, followed by a comfortable 59-run win against the Cayman Islands. They had previously defeated the Bahamas by 10 wickets and also secured a 42-run win in a rain-affected match against the Cayman Islands, demonstrating their consistent and well-rounded performance throughout the tournament.
With this qualification, Canada joins the list of teams that have already secured their places in the 20-team World Cup. They became the 13th team to make it to T20 World Cup 2026. This includes the hosts, India and Sri Lanka, the defending champions England, as well as Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, the United States, and the West Indies. The remaining seven positions will be determined through upcoming regional qualifiers in Europe, Africa, and the Asia-East Asia Pacific region.