August offers Finnish sports fans a unique opportunity to see top international cricket on home soil. Finland’s national team faces Germany on Tuesday, 11.8.2026, in a warm-up international, before Finland hosts the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament in Kerava and Vantaa from 14–21 August 2026.
Finland faces Germany ahead of World Cup qualifiers in Kerava
The Finland–Germany international match, played on Tuesday, 11.8.2026 in Kerava, serves as an important warm-up fixture ahead of the start of the World Cup qualifiers. The match gives spectators a chance to see the Finnish national team in action just before one of the most significant international tournaments in our country’s cricket history.
Finland hosts the T20 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament
The cricket excitement culminates on 14–21 August 2026, when the Finnish Cricket Association, together with Kerava and Vantaa, hosts the T20 Cricket World Cup Qualifier tournament.
Ten countries are taking part in the tournament: Finland, Bulgaria, Spain, Israel, Greece, Luxembourg, the Isle of Man, Portugal, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The tournament winner advances toward the 2028 Cricket World Cup.
Finland’s match schedule:
- Fri 14.8, 11:00 – Spain v Finland, Kerava
- Sat 15.8, 16:00 – Finland v Bulgaria, Tikkurila
- Tue 18.8, 11:00 – Finland v Luxembourg, Tikkurila
- Thu 20.8, 16:00 – Isle of Man v Finland, Kerava
- Fri 21.8 – Semi-finals and final (schedule to be announced later)
Finnish Bears Squad:
- Aravind Kumar Mohan (WK)
- Aniketh Pusthay
- Faraaz Abbas
- Zahidullah Kamal
- Nicholas Salonen (VC)
- Faheem Nellancheri
- Amjad Sher (C)
- Hammadullah Shinwari
- Mahesh Tambe
- Piumal Eeshwara Acharige
- Junaid Khan
- Madhawa Basnayaka
- Vanraaj Padhaal
- Akhil Arjunan Saraladevi
Cricket is growing in Finland
Cricket is the world’s second most-followed sport, and its popularity keeps growing in Finland too. The country already has over 40 cricket clubs along the Helsinki–Oulu corridor, with around 1,500 licensed players competing at league level.
The World Cup qualifier tournament will be played in the T20 format, a fast-paced, spectator-friendly version of the game. A match lasts around three hours, and the same format will also feature at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Alongside the tournament, a criiio Cup for children and young people will also be held on Saturday, 15.8. at Tikkurila, aiming to offer a low-threshold opportunity to get to know cricket in a fun and encouraging environment.
For further information:
Maija Scamans
Tournament Director, World Cup
Finnish Cricket Association
maija.scamans@cricketfinland.com
tel. 050 571 9578
Andrew Armitage
Executive Director,
Finnish Cricket Association
andrew.armitage@cricketfinland.com
tel. 050 323 7099
