The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially reserved its spot in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 as the 20th and final team to make it to the marquee event to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka between February 6 and March 7. Muhammad Waseem's team secured their place with a conclusive victory over Japan during the Asia/East Asia-Pacific (EAP) Qualifier in Oman. The 2026 edition of the ICC T20 World Cup will once again have 20 teams for the second successive year, maintaining the ICC's aspiration to grow the game worldwide. With Nepal and Oman having achieved top-three positions in the earlier part of the week, the UAE victory over Japan confirmed that they became a part of the duo as Asia–EAP representatives, completing the group for the next year's tournament. Facing Japan in a crucial Super Six encounter, the UAE were clinical from the start. Japan’s innings never got going after losing early wickets. Also Read: Ibrahim Zadran Fined and Given Demerit Point for ICC Code of Conduct Breach Muhammad Farooq’s direct hit run-out to dismiss Abhishek Anand, followed by Haider Ali’s effective spell that removed Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Esam Rahman, gave the team a huge advantage. Haider finished with impressive figures of 3/12 in three overs as Japan stumbled to 25/3 inside the Powerplay. After a fightback by wicketkeeper-batter Wataru Miyauchi, who remained unbeaten on 45 off 32 balls, Japan could make only 116 runs. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem and Alishan Sharafu led the Japanese bowling for a merry dance by scoring 36/0 in the first three overs. Waseem (42 off 26) and Sharafu's (46 off 27) responsible knocks helped the UAE chase down the total in 13 overs to secure their T20 World Cup spot. The win not only knocked Japan out of contention for qualification but also dashed the hopes of Qatar and Samoa, who had been hoping on a Japanese victory to remain in the tournament.