The new ODI and T20 World Cup formats will reshape international cricket over the coming years. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a new structure for both the Men’s ODI World Cup and the Men’s T20 World Cup. The revised formats are designed to create more competitive matches, increase opportunities for teams, and improve the overall tournament experience.
The updated system introduces additional rounds, more matches, and a revised qualification pathway. While the recommendations have been approved by the ICC Board, the Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee will conduct a final review later this year.
New ODI World Cup Format
14 Teams Will Participate
The 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup will feature 14 teams, an increase from the 10-team tournaments held in 2019 and 2023. This marks the return of a larger competition, similar to the 2015 edition.
Round 1
The tournament begins with a preliminary stage.
- Teams ranked 12th, 13th, and 14th compete.
- Each team plays the others.
- Only the group winner advances.
This winning team joins the remaining 11 qualified nations.
Round 2: Group Stage
Round 2 includes 12 teams divided into:
- Group A – 6 teams
- Group B – 6 teams
Each team plays every other team in its group.
Qualification for the Next Round
The following teams qualify for the next stage:
- Top three teams from Group A
- Top three teams from Group B
- One additional highest-ranked team across both groups
This creates a total of seven teams.
Super 7 Replaces the Super 6
One of the biggest ICC World Cup format changes is the introduction of the Super 7. Instead of the Super 6 stage, all seven qualified teams will compete in a complete round-robin league.
Every team plays against every other team in this stage. This means teams that already faced each other in Round 2 can meet again. For example, if India and Pakistan qualify after being in the same group, they could play another match during the Super 7 stage. The ICC believes this system will increase competition and keep qualification open until the final league matches.
Semi-Finals and Final
After the Super 7 standings are finalized:
- 1st place plays 4th place
- 2nd place plays 3rd place
The winners advance to the championship match.
More Matches in the 2027 ODI World Cup
The expanded structure also increases the total number of games.
- ODI World Cup 2023: 48
- ODI World Cup 2027: 57
Fans will enjoy nine additional matches compared to the previous edition.
New T20 World Cup Format
The ICC has also introduced significant ICC World Cup format changes for the Men’s T20 World Cup. The revised competition expands opportunities for teams in the second phase.
First Round
Twenty teams will participate. Instead of four groups of five teams, the tournament will now have:
- Five groups
- Four teams in each group
Each team plays every other team in its group. The top two teams from each group move to the next stage.
Super 10 Replaces Super 8
The traditional Super 8 stage has been replaced by the Super 10. The ten qualified teams are divided into:
- Group 1 – Five teams
- Group 2 – Five teams
Each team competes against every other team within its group. This format provides more matches and gives teams additional opportunities to qualify for the knockout rounds.
New Knockout Stage
Another major change is the addition of Eliminator matches.
Direct Semi-Final Qualification
The team finishing first in each Super 10 group qualifies directly for the semi-finals.
Eliminator Matches
The remaining semi-finalists are decided through two crossover Eliminators.
- Second place in Group 1 vs Third place in Group 2
- Second place in Group 2 vs Third place in Group 1
The winners advance to the semi-finals. After the semi-finals, the tournament concludes with the final.
Qualification Pathway for the 2028 T20 World Cup
The ICC has also updated the qualification system for the 2028 tournament.
Scotland Receives Direct Regional Entry
Scotland will automatically qualify for the Europe Regional Final after narrowly securing a place in the 2026 tournament.
Global Qualifier Structure
Teams that played in the 2026 World Cup but did not earn automatic qualification will compete through the Global Qualifier. The remaining places in the Global Qualifier will come from regional qualification events across:
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Americas
- East Asia-Pacific
Final Qualification
The best-performing regional teams will secure the remaining places in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028. These teams will join the automatically qualified nations to complete the 20-team tournament.
When Will the New Formats Be Confirmed?
The ICC Board has endorsed the proposed changes after recommendations from the Development Committee and the Chief Executives’ Committee. The final approval will follow a review by the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs Committee later this year. Once approved, the new structures will be implemented for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The new ODI and T20 World Cup formats promise more competition, more opportunities, and a better experience for cricket fans.
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