This is the first year that 12 teams will feature in the tournament, with nine countries participating in the inaugural event in 2009, increasing to 10 from 2014.

That number will increase further to 16 teams from 2030.

Australia have the best record, having won it six times, with England, the West Indies and New Zealand each holding one title.

The teams in order of T20 International ranking are:

Australia – 1st

England – 2nd

India – 3rd

New Zealand – 4th

South Africa – 5th

West Indies – 6th

Sri Lanka – 7th

Pakistan – 8th

Ireland – 9th

Bangladesh – 10th

Scotland – 11th

Netherlands – 14th

England qualified automatically as tournament hosts.

The next spots were given to the five highest-finishing teams from the 2024 World Cup, which were New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, India and the West Indies.

Sri Lanka and Pakistan qualified through the ICC Women’s T20I team rankings in 2024.

Bangladesh, Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland secured the final four spots at the 2026 T20 World Cup qualifier in January and February.