2024 T20 World Cup is expected to be as exciting as ever with fresh match-ups and historic moments. Starting with the host: USA was qualified alongside the West Indies and will host their first global event.
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The 2024´s T20 tournament will work in two phases prior to the knockouts, but with a distinct framework compared to the First Round/Super 12 format used in the 2021 and 2022 editions.
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In each of the four groups of five, the top two teams will advance to the Super Eight phase. During this phase, the remaining teams will be divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.
One thing is certain though, the 20 teams need to be determined before any of this can happen.
Qualification process for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
As said, the West Indies and the USA have been chosen as the hosts, claiming the first two spots. The remaining 10 teams were determined based on their performance at the 2022 edition and the ICC T20I rankings cut-off on November 14.
Australia, being the top eight teams (with four from each Super 12 group) in the rankings, have secured their spots in the 2024 tournament. Additionally, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who were the next best teams according to the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, have also secured their spots.
| Team | Path of Qualification |
| West Indies | Hosts |
| USA | Hosts |
| Australia | 2022 T20WC top eight finish |
| England | 2022 T20WC top eight finish |
| India | 2022 T20WC top eight finish |
| Netherlands | 2022 T20WC top eight finish |
| New Zealand | 2022 T20WC top eight finish |
| Pakistan | 2022 T20WC top eight finish |
| South Africa | 2022 T20WC top eight finish |
| Sri Lanka | 2022 T20WC top eight finish |
| Afghanistan | Next best on T20I rankings on Nov 14 cut-off |
| Bangladesh | Next best on T20I rankings on Nov 14 cut-off |
The remaining teams for the 2024 tournament will be determined through regional play.
Qualifier Process: what changes?
The qualifier process for the 2024 tournament will be different, as the focus will be on regional matches to determine the final eight spots.
Africa, Asia, and Europe will each have two qualification spots, while the Americas and East-Asia Pacific regions will have one spot each.
| Region | Qualifying Spots |
| Africa | Two |
| Americas | One |
| Asia | Two |
| East Asia-Pacific | One |
| Europe | Two |
Africa – Two regional qualifying spots
South Africa secured their qualification for the 2024 tournament by finishing in the top eight, but Zimbabwe was unable to capitalize on their strong start and finished last in the Super 12 group. They will have to go through regional qualification again. Namibia also failed to advance past the First Round. However, both teams are expected to be favourites to qualify through the Africa Qualifier in 2023.
Despite this, recent history suggests that it won’t be an easy task for these teams, as there is a wide pool of talented teams in the region. Uganda, who recently defeated Namibia in a T20I series, could pose a significant threat to the established teams. Even the team known as the Cricket Cranes faced challenges in the previous African qualifying tournament, losing a close match to Kenya.
The success of the U19 teams in the region indicates that there is a level playing field at the senior level as well. Nigeria is likely to include many players from their U19 World Cup squad of 2020 in their senior squad. Tanzania has also shown the potential to cause upsets, as seen in their qualification victory against Namibia for the U19 World Cup in 2022.
Americas – One regional qualifying spot
Disappointed with their efforts at the A Qualifier for the 2022 tournament, Canada are early favourites to claim the Americas’ spot, which is ultimately theirs to lose given USA’s automatic qualification.
The USA was the only team to defeat Canada, albeit in a Super Over, with Bermuda, fellow competitors at the 2019 Global Qualifier, the most likely challenge for the spot.
Asia – Two regional qualifying spots
The most difficult region to predict for 2024, with several teams in contention and no certainties for the two spots.
UAE narrowly outshines Nepal and Oman on paper, and the likes of Singapore, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Qatar, and Malaysia are all capable of causing upsets against the bigger teams.
UAE failed to progress to the Super 12 stage and secure automatic qualification through the 2022 event, hoping to finish in the top four of one of the groups.
East Asia-Pacific – One regional qualifying spot
One of the stories of the 2021 T20 World Cup, theoretically Papua New Guinea has got an easier run for the 2024 cycle, with an automatic spot for the top East Asia-Pacific team.
The blokes from Vanuatu, who won the Sub-Regional A Qualifier earlier this year, are probably the biggest challenge for the Barramundis, while the Philippines, who gained confidence from their participation in the Global Qualifier A for the 2022 tournament, will definitely make their mark.
And let’s not forget Japan, winners of Sub-Regional Qualifier B and with their Under-19 World Cup appearance in 2020, they’ll be playing in next year’s regional qualifier too.
Europe – Two regional qualifying spots
The ripple effect of Netherlands’ surprising victory over South Africa in the 2022 T20 World Cup has had a positive impact on the European region. By finishing in the top eight in Australia, Scott Edwards’ team has secured their place in the 2024 tournament, and this also means that qualification for the other teams in Europe has become easier.
But it ain’t gonna be a walk in the bloody park. The up-and-coming teams are expected to give the well-established ones a run for their money in this booming cricket region. Jersey and a bloody improving Germany are the biggest threats to overthrow the big guns like Scotland and Ireland. But don’t count out the three Sub-Regional group winners, Italy, Austria, and Denmark.
Austria surprised their Sub-Regional group by defeating Guernsey and Norway in late July, while Italy and Denmark both have impressive individual talents.
