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Mornings from 10am todayWorld Cup format revamped for 50-over and T20 tourneys
Rory Dollard • July 16th, 2026 7:40 am
Blackcaps captain Mitch Santner | Photo: MB Media/Photosport
The International Cricket Council has revamped the format for the 2027 World Cup, cutting the field from 14 teams to 12 after a preliminary round.
The structure of the ICC's flagship global tournaments was a major topic of debate at the recent board meeting in Edinburgh, with changes to the men's showpiece 50-over competition in southern Africa next year as well as the next T20 World Cup in 2028.
Reports that the ODI World Cup's planned expansion to 14 teams would be dialled back have not been fully realised, with a compromise solution seeing three of the lowest ranked qualifiers taking part in first round that would see just one progress to the group stage.
The new format will enhance the chances of India playing arch-rivals Pakistan in a group match | Photo: AP
That will now feature two pools of six, with a new 'super seven' stage replacing the planned 'super six' round-robin. There will be no quarter-finals, denying the competition the jeopardy of more straight knockout matches.
An additional team in the round-robin phase increases the prospects of an extra match between India and Pakistan, by far the most lucrative fixture the sport has to offer and one the ICC is eager to facilitate at all times given the rival boards' refusal to play each other in bilateral contests.
The governing body says the new structure "creates greater context, competitiveness and consequence during the event".
Scotland will have to return to European qualifying despite playing in the 2026 T20 World Cup | Photo: Rob Blakers/AAP
The 2028 T20 competition will remain a 20-team affair, but with 10 teams qualifying from the group stage instead of eight. The two best performing teams in the 'Super 10' will automatically secure a semi-final spot, with a new eliminator stage to decide their opponents.
Scotland, meanwhile, have been told they must compete in the European qualifying tournament – making them the only team who participated in the 2026 edition who must go back to a regional qualifier.
A new 'marquee' event for associate nations has also been recommended but awaits final approval in November.
- Press Association
