Ireland will step up their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a three-match T20I series against Italy in Dubai later this month. The fixtures, to be played at the Sevens Stadium from January 23, will also mark a historic moment for Italy as they gear up for their first-ever World Cup appearance.
This will be Italy’s maiden three-game bilateral series against an ICC Full Member—a significant milestone for a team that stunned Scotland in the qualifiers to book their ticket to India and Sri Lanka for the 2026 event.
The two sides have only met once previously in T20Is, back in the 2023 regional qualifiers, where Ireland edged out Italy by seven runs. With both teams eyeing fine-tuning and stability, the Dubai series offers the perfect platform to sharpen combinations before the high-stakes tournament.
For Ireland, these matches form part of a busy schedule. After the Italy series, they will move on to face UAE in two T20Is starting January 29, as they look to build rhythm and adjust to warmer conditions after moving straight from the Irish winter.
Cricket Ireland’s Director of Cricket, Richard Holdsworth, welcomed the opportunity for quality game time.
“We’re delighted that the Italian Cricket Federation has agreed to this series in Dubai. It’s important that our squad plays competitive cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup. These matches will be ideal for us as we acclimatise to hot conditions,” Holdsworth said.
He also acknowledged Italy’s rapid rise. “The Italians did very well to beat Scotland and qualify for their first-ever World Cup. We expect this series to be a hard-fought affair.”
Italian Cricket Federation president Maria Lorena Haz Paz also highlighted the significance of the tour as Italy continues building towards the biggest moment in its cricket history.
“After qualifying for our first World Cup, our focus has been on creating the best preparation programme possible. We’re extremely pleased Ireland worked with us to put this series together,” she said.
“It’s historic for us — our first ever three-match bilateral series against a Full Member. We hope these fixtures lift our profile and win support for our players across Italy and around the world.”
With both teams eager to hit the ground running, the Dubai series promises competitive cricket and crucial momentum as the countdown to February’s T20 World Cup intensifies.
