Samoa play host as four Pacific hopefuls begin T20 World Cup 2026 journey

By Daniel Beswick in Apia

A ticket to the final round of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup qualifying is up for grabs for four teams at Sub-Regional Qualifier A in Samoa, beginning on Saturday 17 August.

Defending champions Vanuatu lay claim to the favourites tag once more, though key absences and action on the synthetic surface in Apia could push the three chasing teams closer to the ticket.

A human highlight reel over the last two years, captain Josh Rasu has become Vanuatu’s lynchpin.

Making headlines with his jaw-dropping boundary catch during the same tournament in the last T20 World Cup cycle, Rasu’s all-round work will go a long way towards pathway progress. His off-spin will see the team through the middle overs, though the absence of Patrick Matautaava and wicket-keeper Jarryd Allan may force Rasu’s hand in a top-order reshuffle.

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