Canada have assured themselves a place in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as the 13th team to qualify for the 20-team tournament being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. They qualified on the strength of a dominant seven-wicket win over the Bahamas in the Americas Regional Final played in Ontario.
With this victory their fifth consecutive in the four-nation tournament Canada secured a first-place finish for themselves in the standings, irrespective of further results. Bermuda and the Cayman Islands also participated in the tournament, with USA out of contention having already qualified as co-hosts.
This is Canada’s second straight participation in a T20 World Cup after qualifying for the 2024 one in USA and West Indies in the same regional qualification route.
Already qualified for the 2026 tournament are host nations India and Sri Lanka, as well as Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, USA, and the West Indies. The remaining seven berths will be accommodated through regional qualifiers—two from Europe, two from Africa, and three through the merged Asia-East Asia Pacific (EAP) qualifiers.
Canada coasted into the final of the Americas as strong favourites, particularly playing at home and without the obstacle of the USA. They lived up to expectations, posting convincing victories by 110 runs, 59 runs, 10 wickets, 42 runs, and seven wickets. In their last game, they crushed Bahamas for a mere 57 runs off 19.5 overs, courtesy of a clinical bowling display led by Kaleem Sana (3/6), Ansh Patel (2/7), and Shivam Sharma (3/16).
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Pursuing a small target, Canada made easy work of it, crossing the line in 5.3 overs, with Dilpreet Bajwa hammering an unbeaten 36 from 14 balls.
Canada conclude their campaign with a last game against Bermuda on Sunday, but qualification is already assured and celebrations long under way.
