# 2026 Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier C
The 2026 Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub-regional Qualifier C is a cricket tournament in Abuja, Nigeria, that forms part of the qualification pathway for the [ICC Men's T20 World Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/icc-mens-t20-world-cup). Six teams, Uganda, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, and [The Gambia](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-gambia), competed in 15 Twenty20 matches at the NCF Oval 1 and NCF Oval 2 grounds from 23 to 28 November 2024.[1](https://thesportstak.com/cricket/series/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2026-t20-12756) • [6](https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/9132/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2024/matches) The tournament is the first step for these teams toward the T20 World Cup; the two leading sides advance to the Africa Regional Final.[2](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Teams | Uganda, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, The Gambia[2](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/) |
| Dates and venue | 20–25 October 2026, NCF Oval 1 and NCF Oval 2, Abuja, Nigeria[1](https://thesportstak.com/cricket/series/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2026-t20-12756) |
| Format | 15 T20 matches in a six-team round-robin schedule[1](https://thesportstak.com/cricket/series/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2026-t20-12756) |
| Prize | The top two teams advance to the Africa Regional Final[2](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/) |
| Highest-ranked side | Uganda, ranked 21st in the world, ahead of Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, and The Gambia[2](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/) |
| Host and favorite | Nigeria plays at home; Uganda enters as the highest-ranked team[2](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/) |
## Place in the qualification pathway
The tournament is one of three African sub-regional qualifiers in the cycle leading to the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Sub-regional Qualifier A was played in Gaborone, Botswana, in May 2026 with seven teams including Rwanda, Kenya, Botswana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Mali, and Sub-regional Qualifier B was held in Accra, Ghana, in March 2026.[3](https://www.ipl.com/series/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-a-2026-130037/venue) • [4](https://www.espn.com/cricket/scores/series/22990/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-b) Teams that progress from the sub-regional stage move on to the Africa Regional Final, from which World Cup places are decided.[2](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/)
## Teams and form
**Uganda** enters as the highest-ranked team in the field at 21st in the world rankings. Cricket Uganda named a 14-man squad captained by Riazat Ali Shah with Kenneth Waiswa as vice-captain, including wicketkeepers Cyrus Kakuru and Charles Musemeza, top-order batter Anas Baig Mirza, and Pius Oloka, who returned for a second stint with the national team. All-rounder Dinesh Nakrani and opening bowler Cosmas Kyewuta missed out through injury, and spinner Matthew Musinguzi was unavailable because of academic commitments. Head coach [Steve Tikolo](https://www.edgepedia.org/steve-tikolo) and assistant coach Jackson Ogwang led the touring party.[2](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/)
Nigeria plays as the host nation, with the remaining sides, Zambia, Mozambique, Lesotho, and The Gambia, completing the six-team field.[2](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/)
## Schedule
The tournament opened on 23 November 2024 with Uganda against Zambia at NCF Oval 1, Lesotho against [Mozambique](https://www.edgepedia.org/mozambique) at NCF Oval 1, and hosts Nigeria against The Gambia at NCF Oval 2.[5](https://www.mykhel.com/cricket/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2026-schedule-results-sr12756/) • [6](https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/9132/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2024/matches) Uganda's fixtures ran from 23 to 28 November 2024, against Zambia, Lesotho, The Gambia, Mozambique, and Nigeria in that order.[2](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/) • [6](https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/9132/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2024/matches) The full 15-match schedule ran from 23 to 28 November 2024, with two or three matches on each day split between the two Abuja ovals.[5](https://www.mykhel.com/cricket/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2026-schedule-results-sr12756/) • [6](https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/9132/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2024/matches)
## References
1. [ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C, 2026: Schedule, Live Scores, Squads & Match Updates, The Sports Tak](https://thesportstak.com/cricket/series/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2026-t20-12756)
2. [Cricket Cranes Squad for T20 World Cup Qualifier named, Sports Nation Uganda](https://sportsnationuganda.com/cricket-cranes-squad-for-t20-world-cup-qualifier-named/)
3. [ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier A 2026 Venues, Grounds & Match Locations, IPL.com](https://www.ipl.com/series/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-a-2026-130037/venue)
4. [ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier B, ESPN](https://www.espn.com/cricket/scores/series/22990/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-b)
5. [ICC Men's T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C, 2026 Schedule, myKhel](https://www.mykhel.com/cricket/icc-men-s-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2026-schedule-results-sr12756/)
6. [ICC Mens T20 World Cup Africa Sub Regional Qualifier C 2024 schedule, live scores and results](https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/9132/icc-mens-t20-world-cup-africa-sub-regional-qualifier-c-2024/matches)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Cricket › Cricket competitions and records › Competitions and recurring events › ICC T20 World Cups*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license