The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled a major overhaul of the Men’s ODI World Cup and Men’s T20 World Cup formats, introducing additional stages, more competitive fixtures, and an expanded pathway for emerging teams. The changes were approved during the ICC’s annual meetings in Edinburgh and are designed to create more meaningful contests while enhancing the experience for players and fans.
According to the ICC, the revamped tournament structures aim to increase competitiveness, strengthen the overall format, and ensure every match carries greater significance throughout both global events.
Men’s ODI World Cup 2027: New Format Explained
The 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup will feature 14 teams, marking the return to a larger field after the previous two editions (2019 and 2023) were contested by just 10 nations.
Expanded Four-Round Tournament Structure
The competition will now consist of four stages, introducing an all-new Super 7 phase.
Round 1
- Teams ranked 12th, 13th, and 14th will compete.
- The winner advances to Round 2.
Round 2
- The qualified team joins the remaining 11 teams.
- Teams are divided into two groups of six.
- The top three teams from each group plus the best fourth-placed team across both groups advance.
New Super 7 Stage
Replacing the previous Super 6, the new Super 7 will feature:
Seven qualified teams playing a complete round-robin.
Every team faces each other, even if they already met during the group stage.
High-profile rivalries, such as India vs Pakistan, could occur twice in the same tournament.
The ICC believes this format will make every fixture more meaningful while increasing competitive intensity throughout the tournament.
Semi-Finals
The top four teams from the Super 7 will qualify for the knockout stage:
- 1st vs 4th
- 2nd vs 3rd
More Matches
The revamped tournament will feature 57 matches, an increase of nine games compared to the previous ODI World Cup.
Men’s T20 World Cup Gets Major Format Upgrade
The ICC has also introduced significant changes to the Men’s T20 World Cup, creating more opportunities for associate nations while adding an exciting new playoff system.
Group Stage Changes
Instead of:
- Four groups of five teams,
The tournament will now feature:
- Five groups of four teams.
- The top two teams from each group will advance.
Super 10 Replaces Super 8
One of the biggest changes is the replacement of the Super 8 with a Super 10.
The ten qualified teams will be divided into:
Two groups of five teams.
New IPL-Style Eliminator Matches
The group winners qualify directly for the semi-finals.
Teams finishing second will face the third-placed team from the opposite group in two IPL-style Eliminator matches.
The winners of those Eliminators advance to the semi-finals before the tournament concludes with the final.
The new structure rewards strong group-stage performances while creating additional high-stakes knockout matches.
Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 Qualification Changes
The ICC has also revised the qualification process for the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup.
Scotland Receives Direct Regional Entry
After replacing Bangladesh late in the 2026 tournament, Scotland will now receive direct qualification into the Europe Regional Final.
Global Qualifier Pathway
Teams that participated in the 2026 edition but failed to secure automatic qualification for 2028 will enter the Global Qualifier.
The remaining qualification spots will be determined through regional tournaments across:
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Americas
- East Asia-Pacific
The highest-ranked team from each region, along with the next three best-performing teams overall, will qualify for the World Cup.
Combined with the 12 automatically qualified teams, the tournament will once again feature 20 nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the ICC changed the ODI and T20 World Cup formats?
The ICC says the changes are designed to create more meaningful matches, improve competitiveness, strengthen tournament structures, and enhance the experience for players and fans.
How many teams will play in the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup?
The tournament will feature 14 teams, up from the 10-team format used in the 2019 and 2023 editions.
What is the new Super 7 stage?
The Super 7 replaces the Super 6. Seven qualified teams will play each other in a round-robin, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals.
What has changed in the Men’s T20 World Cup format?
The competition will now feature five groups of four teams, a new Super 10 stage, and IPL-style Eliminator matches before the semi-finals.
When will the new ICC tournament formats become official?
The proposals have been endorsed by the ICC Board but require final approval from the ICC Finance & Commercial Affairs Committee during its November review.
Conclusion
The ICC’s proposed overhaul of the Men’s ODI and T20 World Cup formats represents one of the biggest structural changes in recent years. By expanding competition stages, increasing the number of meaningful matches, and introducing innovative knockout formats, the governing body aims to make its flagship tournaments more competitive and engaging. If formally approved in November, the new formats will shape the future of international cricket beginning with the 2027 ODI World Cup and 2028 T20 World Cup.