ICC mulls cutting 2027 World Cup from 14 to 12 teams

There have been reports that the International Cricket Council (ICC) could trim the ODI World Cup teams from 14 to 12, which could be gaining traction within the governing council, the governing body of the game. It has been revealed that there have been discussions during the recent meetings held by the ICC in Edinburgh. Australia will start the season as the defending champions of the tournament.

The ICC, however, four years ago, promised that the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup will feature 14 teams as they decided to expand the quadrennial tournament in the next cycle of the events. The decision was taken after a meeting amid the significant changes to the ICC competitions calendar from 2023-2031.

ICC discusses cutting 2027 ODI World Cup from 14 teams to 12

Any reduction of the teams at next year’s competition would represent a significant U-turn. At the time, the officials actually tried to make it a 16-team format before settling on 14, viewing anything larger as too big a leap, following the reduced 10-team editions in 2019 and 2023.

Under the current 14-team structure, co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe are guaranteed automatic entry along with the top eight-ranked ODI sides, leaving four remaining places to be filled through a qualifying tournament.

If the number of teams is cut to 12, there is a possibility that no associate nation would make it into the event at all. This stance or the outcome will be a disgraceful setback for the sport, undoing what had previously felt like meaningful progress.

“It would be disgusting if that happens. Another step back for cricket after it seemed like progress was being made.” A senior administrator of the Associate Nations expressed.

The event is expected to run from October 04 to November 21. The eight venues in South Africa are expected to host the majority of the games- 41 out of the 54 fixtures. Zimbabwe may host ten games across the three venues, including Victoria Falls, joining Harare and Bulawayo.

A tough call: Associate Nations could be locked out of the World Cup entirely

If the ICC reduces the number of teams from 14 to 12 in 2027, it will trigger a massive controversy, without a doubt. This may send a very discouraging message to the upcoming nations, who want to do well in the game and improve in all aspects.

If the associate nations are locked out entirely, it risks reinforcing the game’s reputation as a sport dominated by a few wealthy boards rather than making it a global game.

The ICC’s aim towards the shortest format as its primary growth has been understandable. But does that mean they would scrap the ODI format, having already promised its greater and global expansion?