ITALY’S ROAD TO 2026
T20 World Cup Qualifiers
Captain Joe Burns leads the charge for Italy’s historic qualification
Under the leadership of Australian-born captain Joe Burns, the Italian national cricket team is competing in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, with two coveted spots for the 2026 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka at stake.
The Qualification Journey
Sub-Regional Qualifier (June 2024)
Italy dominated their group in Rome, going 6-0 against opponents including France, Romania, and Turkiye. This flawless performance secured their place in the current Europe Qualifier.
Europe Qualifier (July 2025)
Competing in the Netherlands from 5-11 July, Italy faces Scotland, Netherlands, Jersey, and Guernsey in a round-robin format. The top two teams will qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Potential World Cup Debut (2026)
If successful, this would mark Italy’s first-ever appearance at a Men’s T20 World Cup, a historic milestone for cricket in the country.
Tournament Squad & Leadership
Captain
Joe Burns
Former Australian Test batsman now leading Italy
Coaching Staff
Kevin O’Brien
Assistant Coach (Ireland legend)
“We’ve identified where we went wrong in the last cycle. The confidence is high, and qualifying would be huge for Italian cricket.”
Match Schedule (Europe Qualifier)
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05 July | Italy vs Guernsey | Voorburg CC | 10:15 AM |
| 06 July | Italy vs Jersey | Voorburg CC | 10:15 AM |
| 09 July | Italy vs Scotland | Voorburg CC | 10:15 AM |
| 11 July | Netherlands vs Italy | Voorburg CC | 10:15 AM |
Warm-up Matches
- • 02 July: Italy vs Guernsey
- • 03 July: Italy vs Scotland
Key Players to Watch
Joe Burns (C)
Former Australian Test player bringing international experience to the top order.
Ben Manenti
Key spinner and middle-order batsman with first-class experience.
Grant Stewart
Pace spearhead who can contribute valuable runs down the order.
Marcus Campopiano
Consistent run-scorer in European competitions.
Challenges & Opportunities
Strong Squad Composition
With experienced players like Burns and the Manenti brothers, Italy has the talent to compete against higher-ranked teams.
Tough Competition
Netherlands and Scotland are tournament favorites, making Italy’s path to qualification challenging.
Key Matches
The clashes against Scotland (09 July) and Netherlands (11 July) will likely decide Italy’s qualification fate.
Follow Italy’s journey to the 2026 T20 World Cup with live coverage on pcv.digital. #ItalyCricket #RoadTo2026