Cricket is all set to make its inaugural appearance in the upcoming 2026 South American Games, according to sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
This new development comes off the back of news announced in June around cricket’s inclusion in the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru.
It represents a valuable opportunity for cricket to further establish itself in the Americas region and lend itself increased legitimacy by featuring in continental events, something that ICC Head of Global Development William Glenwright had highlighted as a specific organisational strategy in an interview with this masthead in 2020.
Cricket West Indies, the only Full Member in the Americas region, has also expressed a strong interest in expanding the sport across North, Central and South America. The organisation is keen on establishing and spearheading La Federación de Críquet de las Américas (FECA), a regional body that will “act as a collaborative platform to coordinate the exponential growth of cricket.”
The South American Games started its journey in 1978, as an eight-nation event in La Paz, Bolivia. Since then, the quadrennial competition has grown to almost double in size to 15 nations. It includes the likes of Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Curaçao, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela as participating members.
The 2026 Games will be the 13th edition of the multi-sport event and is set to be hosted by the Argentinian cities of Rosario, Santa Fe and Rafaela. Major sports such as Football, Baseball, Basketball and Tennis have been a part of the Games since its inception, with Field Hockey and Rugby Sevens joining since the 2006 and 2014 editions respectively.
The format, makeup or size of the cricket tournament are not yet known. While Argentina contains several cricket grounds in its capital Buenos Aires, new cricket ovals might need to be constructed in Rosario, Santa Fe and Rafaela to facilitate the cricket event.
More details about the tournament and official confirmation will follow in the near future.
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