The ICC reports that 12 teams have earned direct qualification for the 2028 T20 World Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed the direct qualifiers for the 2026 T20 World Cup as the Super Eights are finalized. With their qualification to the 2026 Super Eights, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe, West Indies, England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have joined Australia and New Zealand, who were already assured of a spot in the T20 World Cup 2028 as co-hosts.

According to the ICC rankings, three additional teams—Ireland, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan—have also guaranteed their spots. But on March 9, the day after the 2026 T20 World Cup final, they will be revealed. Qualifiers will be held over the next two years to determine the final eight teams.

The top three teams in the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings will compete for the final three automatic qualifying spots on March 9, the day following the tournament final. Ireland, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan will occupy those positions; no international matches are planned to impact the current rankings, the ICC confirmed.

All of the current Super Eights participants were confirmed by Pakistan's 102-run victory over Namibia. India, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, and South Africa are in Group A, while England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka are in Group B, where Salman Agha's team is drafted.

Meanwhile, New Zealand will play Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 21 to kick off the Super Eights. The next day, India will play South Africa at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.

Interestingly, the two teams from each group with the highest number of points advance to the semi-final, which is scheduled for March 4 and 5, respectively. Wankhede Stadium will host the second semi-final, while Pakistan's qualification will determine the location of the first semi-final. The game will be held in Colombo or at Kolkata's Eden Gardens if the Men in Green advance to the next round.