Asian Games 2026 cricket qualifiers: Know full schedule
The road to the 2026 Asian Games cricket tournament is officially underway as qualifying rounds for both men’s and women’s divisions prepare to take center stage. These high-stakes qualifiers, scheduled from May 26 to June 8, will determine the final participants joining the continent’s top nations in Japan later this year.
The women’s qualification tournament is hosted in Malaysia at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, running from May 26 to 31. Six teams are divided into two groups, with Group A featuring Hong Kong China, Malaysia, and Thailand, while Group B includes the People’s Republic of China, Indonesia, and Nepal. Following a round-robin phase, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The two finalists and the winner of the third-place playoff will secure their spots for the Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya.
Did You Know? India currently holds the title of reigning Asian Games cricket champion in both the men’s and women’s divisions, having secured gold medals at the Hangzhou 2023 Games.
Expert Insight: The qualification structure highlights the widening competitive landscape in Asian cricket. While established ICC full-member nations like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have already secured automatic entry, these qualifiers provide a critical pathway for emerging programs to compete on the continental stage, where the intensity of the T20 format at the Korogi Athletic Park will demand peak performance from every participating side.
Men’s Qualification Path
The men’s qualification matches are set to take place in Singapore at the Singapore National Cricket Ground, spanning from May 31 to June 8. Eight teams will compete, split into two groups of four. Group A consists of the People’s Republic of China, Malaysia, Nepal, and Qatar, while Group B features Bahrain, Hong Kong China, Oman, and Singapore. The top two teams from each group will move into the semi-finals, securing their qualification for the upcoming Asian Games.
The main cricket event at the Asian Games in Japan will feature 10 men’s teams and eight women’s teams competing in the T20 format. The women’s tournament is scheduled to begin on September 17, with medal matches on September 22. The men’s tournament follows, starting September 24 and concluding with medal matches on October 13.
As these teams move through the qualification rounds, fans can track live scores for all matches on Olympics.com. While the automatic qualifiers have already solidified their positions, the battle in Malaysia and Singapore will dictate which nations round out the final field for the Games in Aichi–Nagoya.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which nations have already qualified for the Asian Games 2026?
For the women’s tournament, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have qualified as automatic entries, with Japan qualified as hosts. For the men’s tournament, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have qualified as full-member ICC nations, alongside hosts Japan.
Where will the final Asian Games 2026 cricket matches be held?
The cricket tournaments during the Asian Games will be held at the Korogi Athletic Park in the Aichi prefecture, Japan.
How many teams will participate in the final Asian Games cricket tournaments?
A total of 10 men’s teams and eight women’s teams will compete in the separate cricket tournaments at the Asian Games.
Which of the emerging teams do you believe has the strongest chance of securing a qualification spot in this year’s tournament?