Pakistan is likely to miss out on 2028 Olympics after ICC confirms qualification criteria

In what could be a major blow to cricket fans in Pakistan and New Zealand, the men's national teams from both countries are unlikely to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, following the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) finalisation of its qualification criteria.

The ICC, during its Annual General Meeting held in Singapore, has opted for a regional qualification system to decide the six participating teams in the men’s T20 cricket competition at the LA28 Games.

Top-Ranked Teams to Earn Direct Qualification

The format proposes that the highest-ranked T20I team from each continent, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa, will earn direct qualification, while the United States will participate automatically as the host nation, representing the Americas. If the rankings were to be frozen today, the Olympic lineup would likely include:

• India (Asia)
  
• Australia (Oceania)
  
• Great Britain (Europe)
  
• South Africa (Africa)
  
• USA (Hosts, Americas)
  

That leaves just one spot up for grabs, with several strong teams including Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies set to compete for it, should they wish to qualify.

Pakistan and New Zealand Disappointed

Pakistan (ranked 8th) and New Zealand (ranked 4th) are among the teams that are likely to be left out under the current system, unless they secure the final berth through the yet-to-be-finalised qualification route. Both nations are understood to be unhappy with the model, which they feel disadvantages high-performing teams from competitive regions.

India leads Asia comfortably, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka being out of the reckoning under the present ICC T20I rankings. As for Oceania, Australia is ranked above New Zealand and is thus considered to be fixed as the continental representative. Despite all these conditions placed for ensuring regional diversity, ironically, some of the best-performing sides in the sport find themselves ignored.

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Sixth Spot Still Open - Qualification Channel Expected

Five of the six slots are almost finalised, barring the route for the sixth and final spot. As the next T20 World Cup readies itself, rumor has it that the five best teams not already qualified, along with the host nation, will be competing for the last Olympic slot in a separate qualifier.

This format would expand the pool and offer a lifeline to teams like Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies, allowing them to compete on ranking and merit rather than regional allocation alone. It is expected that this will be formally confirmed closer to the 2026–27 window.

IOC Pushes for Global Representation

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has backed the regional system, aiming to ensure broader geographic representation and elevate cricket’s global appeal. The decision also echoes the structure followed during the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where Barbados represented the Caribbean as a unified team.

However, the USA’s participation isn’t entirely guaranteed. The American cricket board must still receive National Governing Body (NGB) recognition from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to officially field a team in the Games.

LA28 Cricket Schedule Confirmed

Cricket's long-awaited Olympic return after a 128-year absence will feature six teams each in the men's and women's competitions, all competing in the T20 format.

• Dates: July 12 to July 29, 2028
  
• Men's Final: July 29
  
• Women's Medal Match: July 20
  
• Venue: Fairgrounds Stadium, Pomena (approx. 50 km from Los Angeles)
  
• Squad Size: 15 players per team (90 men and 90 women in total)
  

Cricket was last played in the Olympics in 1900, where Great Britain defeated France in the only match of the tournament. While the model has not been officially ratified by the ICC Board, a reversal is unlikely. With the next T20 World Cup nearing, the expectation is that the top five non-qualified nations, alongside the host, may play off for the final spot, a move that could keep Olympic hopes alive for traditional powerhouses like Pakistan and New Zealand.