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Cricket is all set to make history by returning to the Olympic Games after more than a century, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) has now revealed how teams can book their places for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. They also announced the first qualifiers for the LA Olympics 2028.
ICC has also introduced a brand new qualification tournament for the first time. The new ICC Olympic Qualifier, scheduled for 2027, will give teams one last chance to secure a place at the LA 2028 Olympic Games and keep their dream alive.
ICC announces road to LA 2028 Olympics
On Monday, June 29, the ICC confirmed that only six men’s teams and six women’s teams will compete in cricket at the LA 2028 Olympics. The ICC has ensured that Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania have at least one team in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Most of the qualification places will be decided through performances in ICC tournaments and the official ICC T20I rankings. Five teams will qualify directly in both the men’s and women’s events, while the sixth and final spot will be decided through the new ICC Olympic Qualifier in 2027.
India among first teams to qualify for LA 2028 Olympics
The women’s qualification process has already started. Australia, India, South Africa and Great Britain, represented by England, have already secured their places for the LA 2028 Olympics thanks to their performances in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The United States, as the host nation, also has a chance to qualify automatically in both the men’s and women’s events. However, US teams must first finish in the top 15 of the ICC T20I rankings during the qualification period. If the men’s or women’s team fails to meet that condition, the automatic spot will go to the next highest-ranked team that has not already qualified.
West Indies shocked by ICC’s Olympic decision
For the men’s competition, the remaining direct qualification places for the LA 2028 Olympics will be awarded to the highest-ranked qualifying teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania based on the ICC T20I Rankings in late 2026. However, West Indies are just unlucky.
Even though the West Indies are one of the strongest teams in world cricket, they cannot compete in the Olympic Games as the West Indies because they represent multiple Caribbean nations rather than one nation recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
However, ICC has kept a special option open for the people of the Caribbean. If the West Indies men’s or women’s team is ranked high enough but does not qualify directly, a separate Caribbean qualifying tournament will be held. The winning country in that competition will advance to the ICC Olympic Qualifiers and fight for a place in the Olympics.
Jay Shah celebrates cricket’s Olympic return with a powerful message
ICC President Jay Shah said in an official release: “The return of cricket to the Olympic Games is a historic moment for our sport and a powerful opportunity to showcase the best cricket to the world. The confirmation of this qualification pathway is an important step towards Los Angeles 2028 and provides members around the world with a clear and exciting pathway to the Olympic stage.
The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of multi-event sport, and the inclusion of cricket in LA28 will inspire players and fans from all walks of life. This is a historic moment and one of the greatest opportunities for our members as we grow the game and take it to new audiences around the world.”
ICC unveils Olympic cricket format for LA 2028
The ICC Olympic Qualifier in 2027 will feature eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams. Apart from the Caribbean representative, if necessary, the remaining teams will qualify based on the ICC T20I rankings except for countries that have already secured direct qualification.
The Olympic cricket tournament will be played in T20 format. Each team will have a squad of 15 players. The six teams will be divided into two groups of three each. Each team will play the other two teams in its group before facing two more teams from the other group.
The top two teams after the league stage will fight for the gold medal, while the third and fourth placed teams will fight for the bronze medal. All matches will be played in the new cricket stadium being built in Pomona. A total of 28 matches will be played in the men’s and women’s competitions at the LA 2028 Olympics.
