Dubai, May 14 (UNI) Europe is gearing up to host four landmark pathway events during a blockbuster summer, with World Cup spots up for grabs across ICC Men’s, Women’s and U19 pathway events from May to August.
The action-packed schedule begins with the first step on the road to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The Europe Qualifier Division 2, staged in Rome, Italy, will see the hosts welcome Germany, Isle of Man, Jersey, Spain and Sweden for 15 round-robin matches across Simar and Roma Cricket Grounds in the Italian capital from 25-29 May where the top two teams will advance to the Europe Qualifier.
Hosts Netherlands and Ireland lie in wait at the next stage from 20-27 August, and a double round-robin format will determine the two nations that will progress to the global qualifying event – the final hurdle on the road to England and Wales 2026,an ICC media statement on Wednesday said.
Sandwiched between those two events are key competitions in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 pathways.
From July 5, the Netherlands will stage the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Europe Qualifier with the ultimate goal of a World Cup spot up for grabs.
Sub-regional victors Italy, Guernsey and Jersey join Scotland, and the hosts, to do battle over the week-long event, and the top two teams in the table come the final fixtures at Voorburg CC on
July 11 will earn their places alongside some of the biggest names in world cricket competing in
India and Sri Lanka next year.
The penultimate event on the calendar will be the hotly-contested ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Qualifier in Scotland.
Six teams featuring the most exciting young players in the region will head to Scotland with just a solitary World Cup berth available to the table-topping side.
Denmark, Guernsey, Jersey, Netherlands, Scotland and Sweden will all be hoping to triumph across three venues in Forfarshire and earn their place at the celebrated World Cup event in Zimbabwe and Namibia early next year.
President of Cricket Italy, Lorena Haz Paz, said, "Italy is honoured to be hosting another ICC event after the success of last year’s Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Qualifier, and in particular a Women's event. I wish the six participating teams the best of luck as they start their journeys towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales.”
Chief Executive of (KNCB) Lucas Hendrikse, said, “The KNCB is looking forward to hosting a busy summer of international tournament cricket in 2025. Alongside our CWC League 2 hosting commitments, we are proud to be hosting pinnacle European events for both the Men's and Women's T20 World Cup pathways.
“It is always a pleasure to welcome high-quality teams to the Netherlands, and this summer promises many opportunities to watch live cricket across our fantastic international venues."
Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland, Trudy Lindblade, added, “Cricket Scotland is thrilled to be hosting the ICC U19 Men's Cricket World Cup Europe Qualifier this summer. We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the best young players from across Europe, as they compete to play
at next year’s showpiece event in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“Forfarshire, Arbroath, and Strathmore are three of our most historic and picturesque grounds, and we would encourage the Scottish cricketing public and local communities to come along and support the cricketing stars of the future.
“We are grateful to the International Cricket Council for the opportunity to host another major pathway event and we’re looking forward to a sunny week of exciting high-quality cricket.”
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