Men’s Team for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier Announced

The Men’s Japan National Team has been selected for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier, to be held in Sano and Nisshin, Japan, from 8–18 May 2026.

The tournament will feature nine teams from the East Asia-Pacific region and is the largest international cricket event to be held in Japan.

The competition will begin with a group stage from 8–10 May, where teams are divided into three groups of three, with matches taking place in both Sano and Nisshin. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Six stage, which will be held in Sano from 12–18 May.

The Men’s Japan National Team will play its group stage matches at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, before moving to the Sano International Cricket Ground should they progress to the Super Six stage.

The full match schedule is as follows:

Group Stage

Nisshin – Kōrogi Sports Park

Group 1 (All matches at 09:30)

• 8 May – Fiji vs Vanuatu
• 9 May – Japan vs Vanuatu
• 10 May – Japan vs Fiji

Group 3 (All matches at 14:00)

• 8 May – Cook Islands vs Korea
• 9 May – Korea vs Papua New Guinea
• 10 May – Papua New Guinea vs Cook Islands

Sano – Sano International Cricket Ground

Group 2 (All matches at 09:30)

• 8 May – Philippines vs Indonesia
• 9 May – Indonesia vs Samoa
• 10 May – Samoa vs Philippines

The top two teams from each group will progress to the Super Six stage.

Super Six Stage

12–18 May (Sano International Cricket Ground)

Match times: 09:30 and 14:30

The number of teams progressing from the Super Six stage to the next stage of qualification is currently under consideration.

All tournament matches can be watched live on ICC.tv while matches can also be followed live on the JCA App.

Good luck boys!