Australia’s journey in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 came to a disappointing end as they were eliminated at an early stage and failed to make it to the Super 8s stage of the tournament. However, with this development, they have risked their chances of qualifying for the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, where Cricket is making its return.
Australia’s Olympic Hopes in Danger After T20 World Cup Exit
Well, the Australian cricket team was expected to secure an automatic qualification based on the world rankings; however, their unexpected failure in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has opened the doors of opportunities for New Zealand.
The New Zealand cricket team is currently ranked behind Australia. If New Zealand manages to reach the semi-finals or further in the ongoing tournament, they will qualify for the LA Olympics 2026. The Black Caps are known for their incredible performances at the biggest stage. Previously, they have managed to qualify for the semi-finals in 2007, 2016, 2021, and 2022.
If they manage to qualify for the semi-finals this time as well, the Australian cricket team will have to fight it out for their spot against the other second-ranked regional teams for the last spot.
It has to be noted that it is going to be a six-team, T20 affair at the LA Olympics 2028. Another thing to be noted is that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will use the World Cup results to decide which team will qualify for the Olympics.
Olympics will also host a six-team women’s event as well. While the Australian Men’s team is still struggling for qualification, on the other hand, the Australian women are a strong frontrunner for the tournament. The Australian women will play in the T20 World Cup in England later this year.
Australia missing out on the Olympics would be a big disappointment for the cricket fans. They have been pushing for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics for many years. Australian players, including the likes of Steve Smith and Pat Cummins, have expressed their desire to play when cricket returns to the Olympics.
“My main goal is to get in the team when the Olympics is rolling around,” Steve Smith had said earlier.
In fact, Phillip Pope, who wrote a 2007 Cricket Australia report about including Cricket to the Olympics, expressed that it would be a “huge mistake” if Australia doesn’t qualify for the major sporting event, where cricket is returning after 100 years.
How the Australian Cricket Team Got Eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2026
Riding on a series of disappointing defeats, the Australian cricket team, which was among the favourites, had an embarrassing campaign at the T20 World Cup 2026. They were defeated by Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. The Ireland vs Zimbabwe match on Tuesday, which got washed out, was the final nail in the coffin for Australia’s time in the ongoing tournament.
Australia, with two points, struggled to qualify for the Super 8s with two defeats and a win. On the other hand, Zimbabwe, with 5 points, and Sri Lanka, with 6 points, managed to qualify for the Super 8s.
Meanwhile, as the Australian side got eliminated after being defeated by the Sri Lankan cricket team in the T20 World Cup 2026, captain Mitchell Marsh couldn’t hide his disappointment.
“It’s a devastated group,” captain Mitch Marsh said after the defeat against Sri Lanka.
“We’re in the lap of the Gods now, I think, with the way it’s shaped up. There are a lot of emotions in the rooms right now. We haven’t been at our best.”
ALSO READ: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 Fixtures — Full Schedule, Dates, Venues, And Format
