ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2027
The ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2027 is the 14th men's 50-over World Cup. It grows from 10 to 14 teams and uses a new three-round format that ends with the Super 7. Fourteen teams will play 57 matches between 2 October and 21 November 2027. Australia are the defending champions after beating India in the 2023 final.
What Is New at the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2027?
This edition changes a lot compared with 2023. Here are the biggest differences:
- More teams: The field grows from 10 to 14. It is the first 14-team World Cup since 2015.
- New format: A Super Series, a Group Stage and a Super 7 now come before the semi-finals.
- Back in Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia co-host. The last World Cup in Africa was in 2003.
- Firsts: Namibia will host matches at a senior World Cup. Zimbabwe return after 12 years.
ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2027 Format Explained
The tournament has three rounds before the knockouts. The table shows how the 57 matches break down.
| Round | Teams | Matches | How It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Series | 3 | 3 | Round robin. The top team moves on. |
| Group Stage | 12 | 30 | Two groups of six. Each team plays the others once. |
| Super 7 | 7 | 21 | Full round robin. The top four advance. |
| Semi-finals | 4 | 2 | First plays fourth. Second plays third. |
| Final | 2 | 1 | The winners of the semi-finals meet. |
Who Plays the Super Series?
The three lowest-ranked teams of the 14 play it. They are the runner-up, third-placed and fourth-placed teams from the World Cup Qualifier. The Super Series starts the tournament on 2 October 2027 in Namibia.
Who Reaches the Super 7?
The top three teams from each group qualify. The best fourth-placed team across both groups also gets in. That gives seven teams.
Teams and Groups
Ten teams have qualified so far. South Africa and Zimbabwe get automatic places as full-member hosts. India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh qualified through the ODI rankings. Namibia are co-hosts, but they must qualify like any other non-full member.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Qualifier A |
| Group B | New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, Qualifier B |
How the Last Four Teams Qualify
The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2027 takes place in February and March 2027. The winner goes straight to the Group Stage as Qualifier A or B. The next three teams enter the Super Series.
Pre-Seeded Super 7 Spots
The ICC has pre-seeded seven teams into set Super 7 positions. This helps fans plan travel and tickets early.
| Super 7 Position | Team |
|---|---|
| A1 | India |
| A2 | Australia |
| A3 | Pakistan |
| AB4 | England |
| B1 | New Zealand |
| B2 | South Africa |
| B3 | Sri Lanka |
If a team that is not seeded finishes above a seeded team, it takes that team's spot.
India's Group Stage Matches
India play in Group A. They face each of the other five teams once.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Oct 2027 | India v Australia | Cape Town |
| 10 Oct 2027 | India v Pakistan | Johannesburg |
| 14 Oct 2027 | India v Afghanistan | Tshwane |
| 17 Oct 2027 | India v Qualifier A | Bloemfontein |
| To be confirmed | India v Zimbabwe (Match 33) | Victoria Falls |
India's opener is a rematch of the 2023 final. They then meet Pakistan three days later. See the full ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2027 schedule for every fixture and venue.
Key Matches to Watch
These group-stage games stand out on the ICC fixture list:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Oct 2027 | India v Australia | Cape Town |
| 8 Oct 2027 | Afghanistan v Pakistan | Tshwane |
| 10 Oct 2027 | India v Pakistan | Johannesburg |
| 15 Oct 2027 | Zimbabwe v Australia | Harare |
| 16 Oct 2027 | South Africa v England | Gqeberha |
| 22 Oct 2027 | Australia v Pakistan | Paarl |
ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2027 Key Dates
- 30 Sep 2026: Qualification cut-off for the ten direct qualifiers
- 1 Oct 2026: The ICC reveals the schedule and the ticket ballot opens
- 21 Nov 2026: The ticket ballot closes
- Feb to Mar 2027: World Cup Qualifier decides the last four teams
- 2 Oct 2027: The Super Series begins in Windhoek
- 7 Oct 2027: First Group Stage match, India v Australia
- 17 and 18 Nov 2027: The two semi-finals
- 21 Nov 2027: The final
Cricket World Cup Winners List
Australia lead the list with six titles. India and the West Indies have won twice each.
Australia
1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, 2023
India
1983, 2011
West Indies
1975, 1979
Pakistan
1992
Sri Lanka
1996
England
2019
Who Won the Last ODI World Cup?
Australia won the 2023 World Cup. They beat India by six wickets in the final on 19 November 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
- India: 240 all out after batting first
- Australia: Chased 241 in the 43rd over
- Player of the Match: Travis Head, 137 off 120 balls
- Also key: Marnus Labuschagne made a steady 58
India had won all ten of their earlier matches in that tournament. India's two titles came in 1983 and 2011. India fans can also read how many T20 World Cups India has won and how many times India has won the Asia Cup.
What the ICC Will Confirm Later
Some details are still open. We will update this page when the ICC shares them.
- Last four teams: They come from the World Cup Qualifier in February and March 2027.
- South Africa's opener: The ICC release gives different details for South Africa v New Zealand. Check the official ICC website for the final date and venue.
- Match timings: Start times for each match are not published yet.
- Prize money: It was not part of the schedule announcement.
Final Thoughts
The ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2027 brings a bigger field and a fresh format. Australia and India open the main draw on 7 October, and the final follows on 21 November. Watch the World Cup Qualifier in early 2027 to see which teams complete the line-up.