The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced changes to the format of its men’s World Cup tournaments, citing the need to “elevate competitiveness and consequence” of the events. The revamped structures will come into force at the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe in October-November next year.
According to the ICC, the changes aim to strengthen the competitive narrative across every stage of the event. At the 2027 tournament, the 14 participating teams will first face each other in a ‘Super Series’ round, where only the top team will progress to a main 12-team group phase. The top three teams from each main group, plus the next best-placed team across both, will then qualify for a new ‘Super 7’ round. The two top teams from the Super 7s will then progress to the semi-finals.
The ICC has also introduced changes to the T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2028. The number of teams competing in the second stage of the tournament will increase from eight to 10, with that stage to be renamed Super 10. The top team in each of the two groups will progress to the semi-finals, while the teams placed second will each play a new ‘Eliminator’ match against the third-placed team in the opposite group to determine the remaining two final-four places. This change promises to expand the representation of cricket’s emerging nations in the Super 10 stage while also delivering higher competitive standards, according to the ICC.
The changes have been designed to create a more competitive and intense experience for fans, while also providing emerging teams with the opportunity to compete on cricket’s biggest stage. The ICC has stated that the increased consequence and enhanced competitive intensity will enhance the overall experience for fans. The changes will also allow for more opportunities for teams to compete against each other, including the possibility of an extra match between India and Pakistan, two of the most lucrative teams in the sport.
Scotland, meanwhile, have been told they must compete in the European qualifying tournament, making them the only team that participated in the 2026 edition who must go back to a regional qualifier. The changes are set to come into force in 2027 and 2028, and will be implemented in time for the respective World Cup tournaments. The ICC has recommended a new ‘marquee’ event for associate nations, but this is yet to be finalized and awaits approval in November.
Source: Sky Sports