The T20 World Cup has expanded its format which now allows more Associate nations to participate in the tournament. The USA, Italy, the Netherlands, Nepal and the UAE have moved beyond their previous role as tournament participants because they now present genuine challenges to major teams. The recent ICC events have demonstrated that these teams possess skilled players who can independently transform the outcome of matches.
Players use major ICC tournaments to showcase their skills on a worldwide platform. Worldwide franchise leagues continue to experience rapid growth which means that players who perform well in World Cups will see their careers receive transformative results. Franchise owners will notice players who perform well because their success will lead to new contracts which result in higher income. The T20 World Cup represents a critical opportunity for Associate players to demonstrate their abilities.
The upcoming T20 World Cup will showcase five Associate stars who have the potential to make notable achievements.
5 Associate Players Who Could Grab Attention at T20 World Cup 2026
Andries Gous (USA)
Andries Gous will be a key player for the USA. The powerful opening batter has already shown that he belongs at the top level. Gous began his cricket journey in South Africa, where he played Under-19 cricket and First-Class matches. He continued his career in the USA after moving there from South Africa in 2021.
He made a strong impact ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, debuting against Canada and settling quickly into international cricket. Gous achieved a tournament total of 219 runs while maintaining an average of 43.80 and a strike rate that exceeded 150. The best moment of his career happened when he scored an unbeaten 80 against South Africa his country of birth which brought his team close to victory.
Gous has participated in 25 T20Is since his debut with the USA and he has scored 751 runs while maintaining a strike rate of 145. He has traveled the world to compete in franchise cricket which includes his participation in the ILT20, CPL, PSL and Major League Cricket. His experience and fearless batting make him a player to watch.
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Wayne Madsen (Italy)
Wayne Madsen will lead Italy, who will make their first appearance in the T20 World Cup. With Joe Burns unavailable, the captaincy has gone to a man with huge experience in elite sport.
The life story of Madsen is special because no other story resembles it. He first represented South Africa in hockey, playing at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and the World Cup. Later he switched to cricket and moved to England, where he became a dependable County Championship batter for Derbyshire.
Madsen never played for England but he scored more than 20,000 runs in domestic cricket. He has competed in major leagues such as the T20 Blast and The Hundred and SA20 and PSL. He made his Italy debut in 2023 and scored 52 against Jersey. Although he has limited international statistics Italy will depend on his ability to lead with composure while facing important matches.
Muhammad Waseem (UAE)
The T20 World Cup will return to the UAE after they missed the 2024 edition and Muhammad Waseem will lead the team. The aggressive opener is the team’s captain, top run-scorer and most important player.
Waseem launched his international career in 2021 when he scored 107 not out against Ireland to establish his presence. He has developed into a hitting machine who continues to score runs. He has scored 3,184 runs in 91 T20Is at an average of 37.02 and a strike rate over 150.
He enters the World Cup with strong form after finishing second in total runs during the ILT20 2025–26 tournament. He scored 370 runs for MI Emirates which helped his team reach the final. Waseem has led the UAE team during important competitions which include the Asia Cup. His power and leadership will be crucial.
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Roelof van der Merwe (Netherlands)
Roelof van der Merwe is one of the most experienced players in the tournament. He has competed in six previous World Cups which makes the 2026 T20 World Cup his seventh. He has represented both South Africa and the Netherlands on the world stage.
Van der Merwe played for South Africa in the 2009 T20 World Cup before switching to the Netherlands. He has become a key all-rounder for the Dutch side, who play international matches, because he has participated in 80 games and taken 88 wickets while scoring more than 700 runs.
The 41-year-old still brings energy and sharp bowling skills plus valuable big-match experience. He has participated in the IPL, CPL, SA20, ILT20 and The Hundred. His presence boosts the Netherlands Team which has a reputation for defeating stronger opponents.
Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal)
Nepal will try to enhance its results from the 2024 tournament because Dipendra Singh Airee will become their main player for this mission. The vice-captain is a true all-rounder who contributes with bat, ball and in the field.
Airee has played 90 T20Is and is Nepal’s highest run-scorer in the format with 1,956 runs. He is also among the top wicket-takers for his country. He owns the record for the fastest fifty in T20 history which he achieved by scoring one in just nine balls at the 2022 Asian Games.
He is one of three players in T20 cricket history who have accomplished hitting six sixes during a single over. He brings confidence to the team because he can quickly change the game.
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