The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved significant changes to the formats of its premier men’s tournaments, introducing a revamped structure for the ODI and T20 World Cups while also sanctioning a new global event for associate nations ahead of the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup.
The decisions were finalised during the ICC Board’s annual meetings in Edinburgh after recommendations from the Chief Executives’ Committee. The governing body said the changes are designed to make every match more meaningful from the outset, raise the level of competition and enhance the overall experience for players and fans.
The ICC Board, which included three associate member representatives, also approved the qualification pathway for the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup.
ICC Unveils New Format For 14-Team ODI World Cup
The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will continue as a 14-team tournament but will adopt a new three-stage format before the knockout phase. Under the revised system, the three lowest-ranked qualified teams (Teams 12, 13 and 14) will first compete in a round-robin Super Series, with the winner advancing to the next stage alongside the other 11 teams.
The second stage will feature two groups of six teams, with each group playing a round-robin format. The top three teams from each group, along with the best fourth-placed side across the two groups, will advance to the Super 7 stage. In this phase, the seven teams will compete in a single round-robin, with the top four progressing to the semi-finals.
The top four teams will contest the semi-finals, with the winners progressing to the final. According to the ICC, the revamped format aims to make every match count from the outset of the tournament while continuing to provide emerging teams with the opportunity to compete on the global stage.
ICC Introduces Super 10 And Eliminators For T20 World Cup
The 20-team ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will also be played under a revamped format. Replacing the current four groups of five, the opening round will now feature five groups of four teams each, with the top two sides from every group advancing to an expanded Super 10 stage.
The Super 10 will consist of two groups of five teams. The table-toppers from each group will progress directly to the semi-finals, while the second-placed team in each group will take on the third-placed side from the opposite group in two eliminator matches.
The winners of those contests will secure the remaining two semi-final spots. According to the ICC, the new format expands the second phase from eight to 10 teams, providing more opportunities for emerging nations while enhancing the overall competitiveness of the tournament.
The ICC believes the introduction of eliminators will make the final matches of the Super 10 stage more meaningful.
ICC Announces New Qualification Pathway For 2028 T20 World Cup
The ICC has also finalised the qualification pathway for the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup. Scotland has been granted direct entry into the Europe Regional Final in recognition of the exceptional circumstances surrounding its participation in the 2026 edition.
Non-qualified teams from the 2026 T20 World Cup will enter the Global Qualifier directly. The remaining eight places in the Global Qualifier will be filled through regional qualifying events, with Africa, Asia and Europe receiving two slots each, while the Americas and East Asia-Pacific regions will have one berth apiece.
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