The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India recently concluded with a bang, leaving cricket enthusiasts around the globe in awe. The tournament shattered attendance records, with over 1,250,307 spectators filling the stadiums. Moreover, it broke several TV and streaming records.
As the cricketing world relives the thrilling moments of the event won by Australia for the sixth time, attention has already shifted to the next World Cup, which is set to take place in 2027.
Notably, South Africa and Zimbabwe will jointly host the tournament in October and November, marking their second collaboration after the 2003 World Cup. Additionally, Namibia will make its debut as a co-host, adding an exciting new dimension to the cricketing spectacle. On that note, here are the details about the qualification scenario, dates, venues and format of the ODI World Cup 2027
Qualification scenarios for ODI World Cup 2027
The 2027 World Cup will feature a total of 14 teams, with host nations South Africa and Zimbabwe automatically securing their spots. However, Namibia, despite co-hosting the event, will need to earn its place by successfully navigating the global qualifier tournament conducted by the ICC.
It is worth mentioning that the top four teams of the qualifier tournament will make it to the ODI World Cup 2027, adding an extra layer of competition and excitement to the lead-up of the event as nations vie for a chance to compete on the world stage.
As far as the remaining eight teams are concerned, the full-member nations finishing in the top eight of the ICC ODI team rankings ahead of the ICC showpiece event will get guaranteed direct qualification.
Also READ: Here is Team India’s post-World Cup schedule until IPL 2024 kicks-off
Dates and venues
Although the exact dates and venues of the 2027 World Cup are yet to be announced, the prestigious event will most likely unfold between October and November.
As far as venues are concerned, South Africa and Zimbabwe, with their rich cricketing history and passion for the sport, are set to provide a fantastic backdrop for the tournament. The inclusion of Namibia as a co-host further expands the reach of the event, promising diverse and vibrant settings for the matches and cricket fans can expect a unique blend of cultures and cricketing fervour.
Format
The format of the 2027 World Cup brings back echoes of the 2003 edition, with teams divided into two groups of seven. Each team will face every other team in its group once, reminiscent of the competitive format from nearly two decades ago. The top three teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, with the best two qualifying for the final.
Interestingly, the ICC has also planned to introduce a modified version of the Points Carry Forward (PCF) system from the 1999 edition to the ODI World Cup 2027.