20 participating teams for T20 World Cup 2024 divided into four groups – Reports

The first draw of the T20 World Cup 2024 has been leaked in the media. As reported by The Telegraph, UK, 20 teams that have finalized for the event have been divided into four groups of five each. The tournament will be played between June 4, 2024, to June 30 in the Caribbean islands and the USA. The schedule for the tournament is yet to be announced.

Talking about the teams, Canada and the USA are playing in the tournament for the first time. Not to forget, Canada is playing a World Event for the first time since 2011. 12 years back, in the ODI World Cup played in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, Canada played in a World Cup for the last time. From the American continent, apart from the USA, only Canada has qualified after beating Bermuda in the regional qualifiers.

From the European continent, Scotland and Ireland will play three back-to-back T20 World Cups with England being the defending champions. Namibia, who made their T20 World Cup debut in 2021, beat former champions, Sri Lanka a year later and has made it to the 2024 edition alongside Uganda, leaving behind Zimbabwe from Africa qualifiers.

Papua New Guinea, Oman, and Nepal will also play in the tournament. While PNG and Oman played previously in 2021, Nepal will play for the first time. The rest of the teams are the usual suspects and some of them are former champions. The Netherlands, who famously beat South Africa in 2022, qualified for the tournament directly as they finished fourth in Super 12.

The final draft of the groups will be released later by the Apex Council. Super Eight format might make a comeback in this tournament.

T20 World Cup 2024 groups first drafts