The road to the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027 has started to take shape, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirming the window for the qualifying tournament. Scheduled to take place several months before the main event, the competition will determine the final teams that earn a place at cricket’s biggest 50-over tournament. The host nation for the Qualifier, however, has not been announced yet. Several Full Members and emerging nations are expected to battle for qualification to qualify for the expanded 14-team tournament.
ODI World Cup 2027 Qualifier Dates
The 2027 ODI World Cup Qualifier is scheduled to be held from February 22 to March 23, 2027. While the ICC has finalised the tournament window, the venue is yet to be confirmed.
Under the new qualification system announced by the cricket governing body, the winner of the 10-team Qualifier will earn direct qualification to the main group stage of the ODI World Cup.
The teams finishing second, third and fourth will progress to the newly introduced Super Series, where they will compete for the final place available in the World Cup’s main stage.
Which Teams Could Compete in the Qualifier?
The Qualifier will feature 10 teams, including the two lowest-ranked Full Member nations in the ICC ODI rankings, excluding hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, as of September 30, 2026.
Joining them will be the top four teams from ICC Cricket World Cup League 2, along with four teams advancing from the World Cup Qualifier Playoff.
The Playoff will include the bottom four League 2 teams and four Challenge League sides. The exact format of that tournament is yet to be confirmed, but the top four teams will secure places in the Qualifier.
With rankings still subject to change, several teams remain in contention. West Indies, currently outside the automatic qualification positions, could be forced into the Qualifier depending on results before the September rankings cut-off, while Ireland and Afghanistan also have important ODI fixtures that could shake up the final standings.
ODI World Cup 2027 Hosts and Venues
The ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2027 will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 4 to November 21, 2027.
The tournament will be played across 12 venues spread across the three host nations, marking the first time Namibia will stage matches at a men’s ODI World Cup. The expanded event will feature 14 teams, with the Qualifier determining the remaining entrants before the competition gets underway.
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