The 14-team ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, with the tournament beginning on October 2.
The 2027 Cricket World Cup is set to introduce a revamped competition format as 14 teams compete across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will begin on October 2, 2027, with the final scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on November 21.
The tournament will feature several stages before the semi-finals, creating a longer route to the title for the participating teams.
2027 Cricket World Cup Start Date
The opening match is scheduled for October 2, while the initial qualification activity will continue through October 6. India will then take on Australia in Group A on October 7.
Group-stage action will conclude with Zimbabwe facing India at the new Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium in Victoria Falls. The match will mark the first World Cup fixture at the venue.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super 7 phase, joined by the strongest fourth-placed team from the two groups. The semi-finalists will be confirmed by November 14, with the semi-finals scheduled for November 17 and 18.
How Teams Will Qualify
Hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe have secured automatic qualification. Eight additional teams will qualify based on their positions in the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings at the September 30, 2026 cut-off.
The remaining four places will be determined through the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Its winner will enter the group stage directly, while the other three teams will compete in a Super Series for the final group-stage position.
New Tournament Format
The 14-team event will feature three stages before the knockout rounds. The Super Series will involve the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams from the qualifier, with the winner earning a group-stage berth.
The 10 automatic qualifiers, qualifier winner and Super Series winner will then be divided into two groups of six. Each team will play the other five sides in its group once.
The four teams advancing to the semi-finals will emerge from the Super 7 phase. Points from the group stage will not carry forward, and every Super 7 team will play each other once.
World Cup Venues
Twelve venues across the three host nations will stage matches. Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek will host the Super Series and group fixtures.
Zimbabwe will use venues in Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo, while South Africa will host games in Cape Town, Paarl, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Bloemfontein, Durban, KuGompo City and Gqeberha.
The semi-finals and Johannesburg final also have reserve days in place if required.