ICC controversially revamps Men’s World Cup formats

The ICC has forced through significant changes to the structure and qualification of both men’s ODI and T20 World Cups, effective immediately for the upcoming events – the 2027 ODI World Cup hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, and the 2028 T20 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The changes have significant negative impacts on the Associate nations.

Men’s ODI World Cup

The men’s ODI World Cup gets a radical shake-up with the associate nations hugely affected. In a series of changes, the main group stage will be reduced from 14 teams to twelve, with the introduction of a ‘Super Series’ – a three team preliminary round from which one team will qualify for the main group stage. The main group stage then features two groups of six teams each, from which seven teams advance – the top three in each group plus the best fourth place. The advancing teams play a round-robin ‘Super Seven’ stage, which is followed by the typical semi-finals and final. Excluding the preliminary round, the World Cup maintains the 54-match total agreed with the broadcasters for the current cycle.

With changes to the qualifying structure, discussed below, the new format cuts associate participation to almost nil, with at best one associate member advancing to the main group stage. Equally, the restructure seems highly motivated by forcing a second India vs Pakistan clash, as should both sides advance they will meet in the ‘Super Seven’ stage.

Men’s ODI qualifying

Men’s ODI qualifying was not explicitly mentioned in today’s ICC press-release, but with changes to the World Cup in place, changes to qualifying must follow. It has been reported that eleven teams will qualify directly for the main group stage, up from 10, with an extra berth allocated to a full member by ranking. Three teams will advance from the World Cup qualifier to play in the ‘Super Series/preliminary round. Since one more full member will qualify directly, one fewer will play in the qualifier, with this event likely to be reduced to 9 teams.

Men’s T20 World Cup

The Men’s T20 World Cup gets a revamp, though less dramatically. The new format features five groups of four teams (changed from four groups of five), with the top two advancing. The Super 8s stage is therefore changed to a Super 10s, with two groups of five teams. The Super 10s group winners will advance directly to the semi-finals, with the 2nd and 3rd place teams playing crossover playoff fixtures for the final two semi-final places, with the tournament concluding in the typical fashion.

The new format maintains the 55 games of the previous two events, and does not extend the path to the final unless a team advances via the playoffs. However, with one fewer first round fixture, associate sides will play less cricket overall, with the 9th and 10th best sides playing more.

Men’s T20 World Cup qualifying

The rumoured return of the Global Qualifier is confirmed, with a sixteen-team event qualifying for eight places at the World Cup. With the exception of Scotland, the associates who played at the 2026 event in India will advance directly to the Global Qualifier, with the remaining eight from regional events. Scotland, who qualified by invitation after Bangladesh withdrew, will fall back to the Europe regional final (Scotland were exempted from playing the sub-regional round in Denmark last week).

The revamped regional qualification pathway is as follows:

Africa: Six teams (Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania, winner & runner up of Subregional C) will play for two berths at the Global qualifier.

Americas: Bermuda and Cayman Islands will contest the regional final for one berth at the Global qualifier

Asia: Subreigonals are yet to be confirmed, as is the regional final. Two teams will advance to the global qualifier

East Asia-Pacific: One team will advance to the global qualifier, likely from an unconfirmed regional final.

Europe: Scotland, Jersey, Denmark and the winner of Subregional C will play for two berths at the Global Qualifier

Global Qualifier: Canada, Italy, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, UAE, USA, Africa 1, Africa 2, Americas 1, Asia 1, Asia 2, EAP 1, Europe 1, Europe 2.

The top team from each region will qualify for the World Cup, subject to additional ICC performance criteria, with the remaining places (minimum of three) being assigned by overall placings.

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