The ICC Board has revealed significant changes to the structure of major men’s cricket events. The ODI World Cup will now feature a three-stage format for its 14 teams, while the T20 World Cup’s second stage will expand to a ‘Super 10’ format with eliminators. These decisions were made during the ICC’s Annual Conference in Edinburgh, aiming to create more meaningful contests and enhance the experience for players and fans.
The Men’s Cricket World Cup will maintain 14 teams but will introduce a new competition format. The tournament will include a three-stage setup leading to the finals. The lower-ranked three teams will start in the ‘Super Series’, with only the top team progressing to the main stage. Round 2 will consist of 12 teams split into two groups, with the top teams advancing to the ‘Super 7’ round-robin stage.
The structural changes aim to increase the competitive narrative throughout the events. The revamped formats promise higher consequences at every stage, with a more competitive atmosphere. The ICC’s goal is to provide fans with an enhanced experience while giving emerging teams the chance to shine on a global platform.
Encouraged by emerging nations’ performance in the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, the ICC will expand the second stage of the 20-team event. The opening group stage will now feature five groups of four teams each, with the top two from each group advancing to the ‘Super 10’ stage. Only the top team from each Super 10 group will directly qualify for the semi-finals, while the second and third-placed teams will compete in eliminators for the remaining spots.
The ICC Board has also outlined the qualification pathway for teams aiming to participate in the 2028 T20 World Cup cycle. Scotland has been granted direct entry into the Europe Regional Final due to exceptional circumstances. Teams from the 2026 tournament without automatic qualification will move to the Global Qualifier, joined by eight teams from regional qualifiers. The highest-placed teams from each region at the Global Qualifier, along with the next three highest-placed teams, will secure spots in the 2028 T20 World Cup.
