The International Cricket Council has officially released the schedule for the 2027 Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup, setting the stage for a highly anticipated tournament across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The competition is set to feature 14 teams, with the group stage commencing on October 7 and the final scheduled to take place at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on November 21.
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Tournament Structure and Key Fixtures
The 12 teams currently confirmed for the group stage have been split into two pools of six. Group A features India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and one qualifier. Group B comprises New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, and a second qualifier. Following their encounter with Pakistan, India will continue their group campaign against Afghanistan on October 14, followed by a match against a qualifier on October 17 and a fixture against co-hosts Zimbabwe at the Victoria Falls Stadium on October 24.
The tournament format will see the top three teams from each group advance to the Super 7 phase, with the most successful fourth-place finisher across both groups securing the final spot in that stage. The semi-finals are scheduled to be held in Cape Town and Centurion on November 17 and 18, respectively, leading up to the tournament decider in Johannesburg.
Qualification and Venue Details
Direct qualification for the tournament was secured by hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, alongside the eight highest-ranked teams in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings as of September 30, 2026. The final four positions in the 14-team field will be determined through the Cricket World Cup Qualifier, which includes a Super Series phase to decide the remaining group stage participants. Matches will be hosted across 12 different venues throughout the host nations, ensuring a widespread celebration of the sport.
