The International Cricket Council (ICC) has refreshed the formats of the ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup after reaching an agreement during its annual meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland.
To add more excitement and more competition to both the tournaments, the Council has approved new format formats that will allow fans to watch more competitive matches in the early stages of the ODI and T20I World Cups.
ICC approves new formats for ODI World Cup and T20I World Cup
On 15 July, the world’s cricket governing body issued a press release to inform the public about the change in formats. Ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, the ICC revealed that the Men’s Cricket World Cup would continue with 14 teams, but with four rounds, with the introduction of a ‘Super Series’ round before the ‘Group Round’.
During the annual meeting in Scotland, the Chief Executive Committee proposed new formats for the ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup. As soon as the proposed plans were approved by the Board, which included three representatives from the Allied countries, the proposal to rework the drafts received no support from the top level of the Council.
“The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will feature 14 qualifying teams, but the revised format will feature a three-stage competition leading up to the final, creating greater context, competitiveness and results throughout the event, ensuring meaningful competition from the opening matches to the final,” the ICC said in its press release on July 15.
Here are tables explaining the format:
ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Format:
| previous format | New format (simplified) |
|---|---|
| round 1: 14 teams divided 2 groups of 7 | round 1: teams 12, 13 and 14 Play a mini round-robin. The winner moves forward. |
| top 3 teams reach from each group super six | Round 2: 12 teams share in 2 groups of 6. top 3 plus from each group best fourth place Team qualified. |
| Super Six: Two groups of three (9 matches) | Round 3: super 7 The round-robin consists of seven teams (21 matches). |
| top 2 teams Reached the semi-finals from each Super Six group | top 4 teams Qualify for the semi-finals from the Super 7. |
| Semifinals: 2 matches | Semifinals: First vs fourth and second vs third. |
| Last | Last |
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Format:
| previous format | New format (simplified) |
|---|---|
| group stage: 40 matches | group stage: 30 matches |
| 4 groups of 5 teams | 5 groups of 4 teams |
| Top 2 teams from each group advanced | Top 2 teams from each group still qualify |
| Super 8: 2 groups of 4 teams (12 matches) | Super 10: 2 groups of 5 teams (20 matches) |
| The top 2 teams from each Super 8 group advanced to the semi-finals. | Group winners qualify directly for the semi-finals |
| No playoff before semi-finals | The second and third placed teams play cross-group eliminators for the remaining semi-final spots |
| Semifinals (2 matches) | Eliminator (2 matches) followed by Semifinals (2 matches) |
| Last | Last |
More to follow…
