Ireland confirmed their place at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 after a strong showing in the Global Qualifiers in Kirtipur, Nepal, clinching qualification with a comprehensive 62-run win over Thailand on Sunday.
The victory ensured Ireland finished among the top teams in the Super Six stage, booking their return to the global tournament after last featuring in the 2023 edition. With three wins from five matches, the Irish women joined Netherlands and Bangladesh in securing qualification through the qualifiers.
Batting first against Thailand, Ireland posted 121, before delivering a disciplined bowling performance to dismiss their opponents for just 59. Arlene Kelly led the charge with a four-wicket haul, while Lara McBride claimed three wickets to seal a one-sided contest.
Placed in Group A, Ireland recorded victories over Papua New Guinea, the United States of America (USA) and Namibia, with their only league-stage defeat coming against table-toppers Bangladesh. The consistent run carried them into the Super Six, where results later in the day confirmed their qualification.
Ireland officially sealed the final qualifying spot after defeating the USA by 41 runs in their last Super Six fixture, finishing third in the standings under the leadership of Kathryn Bryce. From Group B, Scotland also progressed after winning three of their four matches, while Netherlands and Bangladesh topped their respective groups to confirm early qualification.
The four teams – Netherlands, Bangladesh, Ireland and Scotland, now join the automatic qualifiers England, Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, completing the 12-team lineup for the tournament.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in England and Wales, beginning on June 12, marking another major milestone in the continued growth of the women’s game.
