The beautiful sport of Cricket owes its globalisation to its shortest format, the Twenty20 (T20). At the heart of this revolution are associate nations that have gradually become indispensable to the game. Otherwise rarely palpable at the international stage, these diminutive teams welcome an extensive platform in the form of the biennial International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cups. Having grinded out in the regional and continental qualifiers, these tier two and three teams, distinguished by their Non-Test Cricket playing status, claim a massive opportunity to participate in the main multinational competition. 

By filling the available spots to partake in the event, they are in the same mix as the established sides and fancy themselves to compete intensively. Along their course, they often script upsets and create an uproar among the top playing units. The seeded teams then become wary of them and make their integration into the circuit successful. Therefore, in this way, the goal of the apex body and the tournament gets accomplished. The game gains new market dynamics and audiences through this explosive, entertaining and perhaps the solitary version. Having granted an elite stage to those miniature teams, Cricket reaffirms its potent commitment to globalisation.

See Also - T20 World Cup 2026: Details of points table rules, net run rate (NRR), Tie-breakers and others

The ICC decided to increase the total number of teams in the T20 World Cups from 16 to 20, commencing from the 2024 event. The upcoming edition, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, would feature nine associate teams among the twenty. They are - Canada, Italy, Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Oman, Scotland (as Bangladesh's replacement), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States of America (USA). These squads brag about some tremendously talented, skilful and professionally adept players. They have been an inexorable force and have walked the talk for their respective teams in the majority of instances, being extremely crucial for them. As perennially, their run of performances will decide their side's progression and fate in the competition. 

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 will see teams compete across 55 matches from 7 February to 8 March 2026. Here's a look at one player to have eyeballs on from every associate team. Their inclusion in the list is underscored by their T20 international (T20I) stats. It is also worth knowing that these players have shared the field with some of the T20I stars of higher-ranked teams in different franchise leagues across the globe. They, thus, bring in invaluable experience in their gaming prowess and aim to steer their respective bunches. With utmost determination, they pose a tough and inevitable challenge for their counterparts. 

Andries Gous (USA)

The American wicketkeeper-batter has been a standout player for the USA national team for a long enough period and was their highest run getter in the previous edition, hosted in the States and the Caribbean in 2024. He has excelled in several global franchise leagues like the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Major League Cricket (MLC), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and the International League T20 (ILT20) in the last 18 months. 

JJ Smit (Namibia)

Namibia's all-rounder, JJ Smit, is an important element behind the balance of his side. The left-arm quick has been the format's top wicket-taker for the African nation since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. In batting, he positions himself at number five or six and provides a vital impetus towards finishing the innings with the tailenders. He has had several impeccable performances in the last year with both bat and ball.

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Michael Levitt (The Netherlands)

The 22-year-old Dutch opener has consolidated his position at the top and averages 40 with the bat. The youngster strikes the ball at a magnificent rate of 137 and has been in immaculate nick since the previous World Cup. He currently holds the record for the highest T20I score for the Netherlands, smashing a mind-boggling 135 runs off 62 deliveries against Namibia in 2024. 

Jitenkumar Ramanandi (Oman)

Oman's left-arm pacer Jiten Ramanandi is a former club teammate of the Indian star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Still in his debut year in T20I Cricket, he is one player from Oman to keep an eye on. The southpaw also bagged some great bowling displays during the Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. 

Harry Manenti (Italy)

The Italian all-rounder has been his side's mainstay player since 2022 and the driving force behind Italy's qualification for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. During the European Qualifiers 2025, he was the highest run-scorer and wicket-taker for his national team. Harry, who plays his domestic cricket in Australia, has also struck a couple of One Day International (ODI) tons for the Azzurri. He will be the flagbearer of Italian hopes in India and Sri Lanka. 

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Kushal Bhurtel (Nepal)

One of Nepal's most important players, Kushal, rose to fame during the Asia Cup 2023 in the fixture against India. As an opener, he has scored more than 700 runs for his nation since the last World Cup. He is also a more than handy option with the ball, as his leg spin holds the key to denting the opposition batters. The talismanic player's stupendous bowling figures of 4/19 against the Proteas, in the 2024 edition, were widely appreciated. 

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Michael Leask (Scotland)

The Scottish all-round player has taken nine wickets at an economy of less than six in the last couple of years. If he can also replicate his 50-overs' batting exploits in T20Is, then he would become a gun player to come up against. Below are his T20I bowling accumulations. 

Yuvraj Samra (Canada)

The name of Canada's 19-year-old sensation has been doing the rounds lately. The explosive opener's striking power is over the roof and numbers prove that. Smashing the ball at above 160, he has often taken the attack to the opposition. He once made a 15 ball half century against the Bahamas, asserting his batting dominance. The stage in India and Sri Lanka will be a humongous opportunity for him to showcase his prodigious talent. 

Muhammad Waseem (UAE)

The United Arab Emirates' M. Waseem is regarded as one of the most destructive T20I openers of all time. His numbers back that assertion profoundly. He has scored more than 1200 runs since the last World Cup in 2024, and at an insane strike rate of 150. The UAE would look at Waseem not just for his captaincy duties but also for giving them quick starts at the top.