ICC World Cup 2027: All eyes are now set on the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. Teams from across the globe, including India, will participate in this tournament, and everyone is keenly awaiting the schedule. Amidst this, some significant information regarding the tournament has come to light.
Deliberations regarding the tentative dates for the tournament—to be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia—have already taken place. Cricket fans and players alike are now waiting for the official announcement of the dates. According to reports, the schedule for the 2027 World Cup was discussed during an ICC meeting held in Ahmedabad on May 31.
When might the ODI World Cup begin?
The ICC ODI World Cup 2027 is expected to kick off on October 4, 2027, with the final match likely to be played on November 21. The final schedule could be approved at the ICC’s Annual General Meeting in July. A total of 54 matches will be played during the tournament, with South Africa hosting the majority of them.
South Africa is likely to host 41 matches. Zimbabwe could host between 8 and 10 matches, while Namibia is expected to host 3 matches. In addition to Harare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium will also serve as a key venue for the tournament. Construction of this stadium is expected to be completed by the end of this year, and domestic cricket matches will be held there before its official inauguration.
South Africa to host for the first time
It is worth noting that South Africa will be hosting the ODI World Cup for the first time since 2003. However, the country has successfully hosted major tournaments in the interim, such as the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2009 Champions Trophy, and the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe and Namibia also recently served as co-hosts for the Under-19 World Cup 2026.
The format of the ODI World Cup will also appear different this time. While 10 teams participated in the last two editions, 14 teams will compete for the title in 2027. All teams will be divided into two groups of seven. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage.
