Some rumors were heard some weeks ago. Cricket website ESPNcricinfo reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) was considering increasing the number of teams for the World Cup. And the ICC has turned that rumor into reality. The board has said in a statement that the number of teams in the World Cup tournaments will increase from the men’s T20 World Cup (2024) and men’s ODI World Cup (2027). The ICC has also made an announcement for the return of the Champions Trophy that was decided to be canceled.
The ICC has announced a schedule from 2024 to 2031. According to the plan, the ICC will host 2 ODI World Cup, 4 T20 World Cup, and 2 Champions Trophy in an 8-year cycle.
The 2027 and 2031 men’s ODI World Cups will be expanded to 14 teams. The ICC has reduced the number of teams in the 2019 men’s World Cup to 10. Again, there will be 10 teams participating in the 2023 men’s World Cup. People have criticized ICC for reducing the number of teams. According to the ICC, the 2027 and 2031 men’s ODI World Cups will follow the structure of the 2003 men’s ODI World Cup. Divided into two groups, 14 teams will play the first round. The top 3 teams in each group will advance to the Super Six. Then the semi-finals and finals will be played. In all, there will be 54 matches.
Now, 16 teams are playing in the World Cup for the shortest version (T20 World cup) of international cricket. This year’s and next year’s T20 World Cup will also be with 16 teams. However, in 2024, 2026, 2028, and 2030, there will be 20 teams playing in the men’s T20 World Cup. In the first round, 20 teams will play in 4 groups. There will be 5 teams in each group. The top 2 teams from the groups will advance to the Super Eights. Then the semi-finals and finals will take place.
The Champions Trophy will be held in 2025 and 2029. As before, 8 teams will play in two parts in the first round. Then the semi-finals and finals will roll on the field.
Earlier, on March 8, International Women’s Day, the ICC announced an increase in the number of women’s global tournaments and the number of teams in those tournaments. According to that plan, 8 teams will play in the women’s ODI World Cup in 2025, but 10 teams will play in the 2029 women’s ODI World Cup.
By 2026, the number of teams in the women’s T20 World Cup will increase by 2. Now 10 teams are playing in the women’s T20 World Cup. The ICC also plans to launch the T20 Champions Cup in women’s cricket in 2027. The 6-team tournament will be held for 4 consecutive years.
Expansion of teams in the global events means to spread the game more. Certainly, it has been understood as a great venture taken by the ICC.
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