The 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is set to be a significant event in the global sporting calendar.
Scheduled to take place in October and November of 2027, it represents a return to Africa for the first time since 2003.
This time, matches will be hosted not only by South Africa and Zimbabwe, familiar names in previous tournaments, but also by Namibia, which will be welcoming World Cup cricket for the first time.
The event carries anticipation not just for the cricketing action it will produce, but also for the potential impact it could have on the game’s development across the continent.
The Cricket World Cup, which began in 1975, has evolved into cricket’s premier competition for One Day Internationals.
Organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) every four years, the tournament brings together the world’s strongest teams to compete for the sport’s highest accolade.
Group Format
Since its debut in 1975, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup has grown from an eight-team, one-set English adventure to cricket’s ultimate show of national pride and sporting excellence.
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The competition is organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) every four years, pitting the world’s top nations against each other in pursuit of the most coveted trophy in One Day International (ODI) cricket.
For the 2027 edition, the tournament will return to a 14-team format. This echoes previous editions such as the 2003 World Cup and stands in contrast to the ten-team events in 2019 and 2023.
The expanded participation is intended to provide more nations with a chance to compete at the highest level, which should encourage broader global interest.
Teams will be divided into two groups of seven, with each side playing all others in its group in a round-robin phase.
The top three teams from each group will progress to the “Super Six” stage, carrying forward points earned against other advancing teams from their group.
Those six will then play teams they have not previously faced, and the top four overall will proceed to the semi-finals, followed by the final.
Qualification Changes
Qualification for the World Cup will again be fiercely contested. South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify as hosts, but Namibia, while also hosting games, does not receive an automatic place as per ICC regulations, since they are not a full member nation.
Namibia will need to secure its spot through the official qualification pathway, which involves several international tournaments and a final qualifying event in 2026.
The qualification pathway is structured as follows:
Automatic Qualifiers
Host Nations: South Africa and Zimbabwe (Namibia, though a host, must qualify through the standard process).
Top ODI Teams: The eight highest-ranked teams in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings as of March 31, 2027, apart from the hosts, qualify directly.
Qualification Path for Other Teams
Teams not among the hosts or top eight in the ICC ODI rankings participate in a series of qualifying leagues, including the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 and the Challenge League.
The best-performing teams from these leagues progress to a final World Cup Qualifier tournament, where four remaining spots for the World Cup are decided.
Which Teams Are Most Likely to Qualify?
Most major full-member cricket nations, especially those consistently high in the ICC ODI rankings, are very likely to secure spots.
Based on current and recent rankings, the following are considered top contenders for direct qualification:
- India
- Australia
- England
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Afghanistan
South Africa and Zimbabwe already qualify as co-hosts. The remaining two to three full-member nations (such as West Indies or Ireland, depending on rankings) will compete for direct spots or through the global qualifier depending on their ODI ranking by the cutoff date.
When Does The Cricket World Cup Start?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed that the upcoming tournament is scheduled for October and November 2027.
As of now, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not released the exact start date, but the event will be held across the months of October and November in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Detailed fixture lists and the precise official start date are expected to be announced by the ICC closer to the event, typically about a year in advance, as tournament planning and qualification move forward.
If you are planning to attend or follow the tournament, it’s recommended to monitor updates from the ICC and the host cricket boards for the confirmed dates and match schedule as the event approaches.
Betting & Odds
Bookmakers offer punters a wide range of Cricket World Cup odds. These reflect the probability of each team winning the tournament.
Although Australia are the reigning champions, India's position as the world's best team makes them firm favourites to lift the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
The current top ten teams in the betting and their odds are:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| India | 11/4 |
| Australia | 4/1 |
| England | 5/1 |
| South Africa | 11/2 |
| New Zealand | 15/2 |
| Pakistan | 17/2 |
| West Indies | 16/1 |
| Sri Lanka | 18/1 |
| Afghanistan | 33/1 |
| Bangladesh | 40/1 |
Apart from betting on the competition's outright winners, you can also benefit from a range of other markets.
These include the top batsman, top bowler, highest scorer and most runs in an innings. Betfred is one of the most popular bookmakers for Cricket World Cup betting.
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Where Can I Watch the Cricket World Cup?
The 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup will be available to watch on various platforms. This includes traditional broadcast networks, streaming services and online betting sites.
For fans in the UK, the action can be followed on Sky Sports. All matches will be live on Sky Sports Cricket, while selected matches will be shown on other Sky Sports channels.
Who's Won The Most Cricket World Cups
Cricket enthusiasts, gear up as we're about to embark on a nostalgic journey through the pages of Cricket World Cup history.
Let's look at the incredible stats and records of the teams that have lifted the most coveted trophy in the cricketing world!
The Reign of the West Indies (1975-1979)
The inaugural Cricket World Cup kicked off in 1975, and who better to claim the throne than the mighty West Indies!
With their charismatic leader Clive Lloyd at the helm, they exhibited a brand of cricket that was both aggressive and enthralling.
Fun fact: Clive Lloyd scored a blazing 102 runs in the final!
1979 the West Indies repeated the feat, successfully defending their title.
Viv Richards, often known as the “Master Blaster,” was the star with an astonishing 138 runs in the final.
India’s Triumph (1983)
In 1983, under the inspired leadership of Kapil Dev, India stunned the cricketing world.
They defeated the invincible West Indies in the final. Kapil Dev's remarkable 175 not-out against Zimbabwe earlier in the tournament is still etched in the hearts of fans.
Australia Takes Charge (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2023)
The Aussies started their World Cup domination in 1987. The Australian cricket team, led by Allan Border, played clinical cricket to clinch their first World Cup.
The Australians took it up a notch in the late 90s and early 2000s. They won three consecutive World Cups in 1999, 2003, and 2007.
With players like Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, and Glenn McGrath, they were nearly invincible. Did you know they won a record 34 consecutive World Cup matches between 1999 and 2011?
They added another feather to their cap in 2015 under Michael Clarke's leadership, and again in 2023 when led to victory by Pat Cummins.
Pakistan’s Glory (1992)
1992 was Pakistan's year. Led by the enigmatic Imran Khan, Pakistan won the World Cup in style.
A young Inzamam-ul-Haq and Wasim Akram played pivotal roles in their journey.
Sri Lanka’s Historic Win (1996)
Sri Lanka, the island nation, achieved greatness in 1996.
Aravinda de Silva's all-round performance in the final is still considered one of the best in World Cup history.
England’s Maiden Victory (2019)
England, the birthplace of cricket, finally tasted World Cup success in 2019.
In a heart-stopping final against New Zealand, England won by the barest of margins based on boundary count. Talk about a nail-biter!
The Cricket World Cup has given us countless memories and moments of joy.
From the West Indies’ early domination to Australia’s impressive hat-trick of titles, every edition has been a roller-coaster ride. As fans, we can only wait with bated breath for the next chapter in this illustrious history.
