In a moment of historic pride, Italy’s national cricket team has qualified for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, marking their first-ever appearance in the global tournament.

The defining moment came on Friday, 11 July 2025, when Italy, despite suffering a 9-wicket loss to the Netherlands, managed to secure a spot in the top two of the ICC Europe Qualifier standings. With that, they sealed their place in the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be held in India and Sri Lanka in February–March 2026.

But behind this incredible milestone is a story of resilience, emotion, and leadership and it centers around Joe Burns, the former Australian Test cricketer.

From Australia to Italy: Joe Burns’ Emotional Journey

Joe Burns, who played 23 Test matches for Australia between 2014 and 2020, made headlines in 2024 when he chose to represent Italy, thanks to his maternal heritage from Calabria.

This decision came in the wake of a personal tragedy — the passing of his brother, Dominic Burns, in Brisbane. Dominic was a beloved club cricketer who played for Northern Federals, wearing the No. 85 jersey — a number Joe now proudly wears for Italy in tribute.

Burns later shared on Instagram, “It’s more than just cricket. It’s about honouring my brother, my roots, and building something meaningful.”

Italy’s Rise Under Joe Burns’ Captaincy

In late 2024, Joe Burns was named the captain of Italy’s T20I team. Since then, he has brought structure, professionalism, and belief to the squad. His leadership was instrumental as Italy progressed through the sub-regional and regional qualifiers.

One of Burns’ standout moments came when he smashed an unbeaten 108 off just 55 balls against Romania. But it was Italy’s shocking win over Scotland in the qualifiers that truly turned heads — and eventually helped them book their ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

Italy now becomes the 25th nation in history to qualify for an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

What Lies Ahead

As Italy prepares to debut on the biggest stage of T20 cricket, the world will be watching this underdog story unfold. With Joe Burns leading a passionate and determined side, Italy isn’t just showing up — they’re aiming to make an impact.

This is not just a sports achievement. It’s a powerful story of personal loss, international transition, and sporting legacy. Joe Burns has turned heartbreak into history — and Italy’s cricketing future looks brighter than ever.