By Zainab Shafiq 
On July 9, Italy’s cricket team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in European T20 history by defeating Scotland, a side 19 places above them in the ICC rankings. The Joe Burns-led squad now sits proudly on top of the points table in the T20 World Cup 2026 Europe Qualifier Finals, bringing Italy to the brink of qualifying for their first-ever T20 World Cup.
Ranked 32nd in the world, Italy toppled 13th-ranked Scotland by 12 runs in a high-stakes clash. Batting first, Italy posted 167/7 thanks to a blazing 21-ball fifty from Emilio Gay. Their bowlers then backed it up, with Harry Manenti dismantling Scotland’s lineup with a brilliant five-wicket haul. Scotland could only muster 155/5 in response, falling short in a game that could have sealed their own qualification chances.
How Italy Can Qualify for T20 World Cup 2026?
Italy currently lead the table with 5 points in 3 games, having secured wins over Guernsey and Scotland, with one game against Jersey washed out. Their final group-stage match is scheduled against the Netherlands on July 11 at 7:30 pm.
A win in that match would guarantee Italy a place in the 2026 T20 World Cup — a historic first for a nation known far more for its football than its cricket.
But the Azurri may not even need a win to qualify. If they lose to the Netherlands, they can still make it through if:
- Scotland, who have 3 points, fail to beat Jersey by a big enough margin to overtake Italy on net run rate.
- The Netherlands lose one of their remaining two games.
Italy is no stranger to global tournaments, at least in football. With four FIFA World Cup titles, the country has produced sporting icons like Pirlo, Maldini, Del Piero, and Buffon. But in cricket, this is uncharted territory. If they qualify, it will mark Italy’s first appearance in a cricket World Cup, signaling a potential turning point for the sport’s growth in Southern Europe.
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