Final WT20WC Global Qualifier spot up for grabs in Fiji

By Daniel Beswick in Suva.

The last spot for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Global Qualifier will be decided in Fiji from Tuesday, with eight sides in the hunt through the East Asia-Pacific pathway.

The event is the largest ICC pathway event in terms of teams in East-Asia Pacific’s history, with Philippines joining the seven sides that took part in the same competition in the T20 World Cup 2024 cycle.

While defending champions Vanuatu come to the tournament off the back of a historic win over Zimbabwe at the last Global Qualifier and a strong build-up for the new cycle, several sides look poised to challenge Rachel Andrew’s team over the eight days.

After being upset by Vanuatu two years ago, Papua New Guinea remain an imposing outfit under Brenda Tau, in-form after an invitational tournament on home soil over Vanuatu, Samoa and an Indigenous Australian XI.

The return of captain Regina Lili’i after missing the same tournament two years ago is a huge boost for Samoa, a country enjoying an annus mirabilis in the game after a debut global tournament appearance at the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and an upcoming appearance in regional Men’s T20 World Cup qualifying.

Having doubled up as head coach in Samoa’s U19 World Cup tilt, Tuaoloa Helen Semau once again features as a squad member, and welcomes several of her players from the Malaysian campaign, notably Avetia Mapu, Angel Sootaga So and Olive Lefaga.

From sharing a dressing room as club teammates in the UK, Lili’i and Philippines captain Katie Donovan will be foes in group action, with The Philippines coming in having not featured in the last cycle.

On top of the Papua New Guinea challenge, Samoa and Philippines also face a bolstered Japan in Group A, once again led by Mai Yanagida.

After a fourth-place finish in the last cycle, Yanagida is excited to return as a side in contention for the title.

“Over the last couple of the years we’ve been getting stronger as a team, and we’ve played together a long time now,” Yanagida said in the build-up. “It’s always special representing my country, leading the team. We’re all so grateful for the support we get and we can win the tournament."

Hosts Fiji face a difficult task over in Group B, though welcome the Australian domestic experience of Tabatha Saville to the fold.

It is the Vanuatu side heavily favoured to progress to top the group on their side, with skipper Rachel Andrew wanting to press on after Global Qualifier experience in the last cycle.

“We’re looking to leverage the momentum from our previous performances and reach the Global Qualifiers,” Andrew expressed.

“Our squad has a good mix of experienced players with a deep understanding of what it takes to win, and some exciting young talent."

The Cook Islands are led by New Zealand domestic standout Gabby Sullivan, while the Indonesian outfit carry their threat through a number of 2023 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup representatives, notably all-rounder Wesika Ratna Dewi.

The tournament kicks off with Fiji taking on the Cook Islands and Japan taking on Papua New Guinea, with a final on September 15 to determine the representative of the region at the Global Qualifier early next year in Nepal.

Fans can follow the live stream on ICC.tv.