ICC Revamps World Cup Formats to Make Global Tournaments More Competitive
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced significant changes to the formats of the men’s ODI and T20 World Cups, aiming to create more competitive contests while giving emerging cricket nations greater opportunities on the biggest stage.
The 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will still feature 14 teams, but with a fresh structure. The three lowest-ranked qualifiers will first battle in a preliminary round, with only one side advancing to join the remaining teams.
The main event will then consist of two groups of six, followed by a newly introduced “Super Seven” stage. The top three teams from each group, along with the best fourth-placed side, will progress, before the top four qualify for the semi-finals.
The ICC believes the revised format will ensure every league-stage fixture carries greater importance while increasing the overall quality of competition.
The 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, will also undergo a makeover. Instead of four groups of five teams, the tournament will feature five groups of four.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 10 stage, where two groups of five will compete in a round-robin format.
A new Eliminator round has also been introduced. While the winners of each Super 10 group will qualify directly for the semi-finals, the second and third-placed teams will battle for the remaining knockout spots.
The ICC has also revised the qualification pathway, offering more opportunities for associate nations through an expanded Global Qualifier.
With these changes, the governing body hopes to balance competitive excellence with wider global participation, ensuring future World Cups remain both inclusive and fiercely contested.