ICC Revamps ODI and T20 World Cup Formats
The International Cricket Council has approved new formats for the men’s ODI and T20 World Cups. The changes introduce additional tournament stages intended to increase competitive matches and reduce early mismatches in global events.
ODI World Cup Introduces Super 7 Stage
The 2027 ODI World Cup will feature 14 teams and be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The three lowest-ranked qualified teams will first compete in a round-robin Super Series, with only the winner advancing. The remaining 12 teams will then be divided into two groups of six.
The top three teams from each group, along with the next best-placed team across both groups, will qualify for the Super 7 stage. All seven teams will play each other, with the top four progressing to the semi-finals.
T20 World Cup Adds Eliminator Matches
The 2028 T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will retain 20 teams but replace four groups of five with five groups of four.
The top two teams from each group will enter a Super 10 stage consisting of two groups of five. Both group winners will qualify directly for the semi-finals.
The second-placed team from each group will face the third-placed team from the opposite group in two Eliminator matches to determine the remaining semi-finalists.
T20 World Cup Qualification Path Revised
Twelve teams have already qualified for the 2028 tournament through their 2026 World Cup performances and rankings.
The remaining eight places are planned to be decided through a 16-team Global Qualifier featuring teams advancing directly from the 2026 tournament and regional qualification events. The proposed global competition remains subject to further financial and commercial review.
