Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAustralia are the defending ODI World Cup champions (Getty)The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revamped the format for the 2027 Cricket World Cup in southern Africa, reducing the main field from 14 to 12 teams after a preliminary round. This preliminary stage will involve three of the lowest-ranked qualifiers, with only one advancing to the group stage, which will feature two pools of six teams and a new 'super seven' round, replacing the previous 'super six', and no quarter-finals. The changes aim to increase the likelihood of high-profile matches, such as between India and Pakistan, and are intended to create "greater context, competitiveness and consequence" for the event. For the 2028 T20 World Cup, the 20-team format remains, but 10 teams will now qualify from the group stage instead of eight, with the top two from the 'Super 10' automatically securing semi-final berths and an eliminator stage deciding the remaining semi-finalists. Scotland are uniquely affected, being the only team from the 2026 edition required to re-enter regional qualifiers for the 2028 T20 tournament, while a new 'marquee' event for associate nations is also under consideration. In fullCricket World Cup format controversially revamped ahead of tournament expansion in 2027More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

The ICC's annual conference in Edinburgh discussed potential World Cup reductions and introducing semifinals to the World Test Championship for future reforms.

The idea is to cut down the early rounds and bring more big ticket matches to the marquee white-ball competition | Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved major changes to the formats of its flagship men's tournaments, introducing a new structure for both the ODI and T20 World…

The International Cricket Council announced a new 2028 T20 World Cup format. This structure includes a Super 10 stage and an Eliminators round. Twelve teams have already secured…