ICC introduces ‘Super Series’ and ‘Super 7’ format for ODI World Cup 2027

India’s Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli (PTI Photo) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved major changes to the formats of its flagship men’s tournaments, introducing a new structure for both the ODI and T20 World Cups, while also approving a new global competition for associate nations ahead of the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup.The decisions were taken at the annual meetings of the ICC Council in Edinburgh, based on the recommendations of the Committee of General Directors. According to the governing body, the changes are aimed at making matches more meaningful from the opening stages, improving competition standards and providing a better experience for players and fans.The ICC Board, which included three representatives from the Associate Nations, also signed off on the qualification route for the 2028 Men’s Under-20 World Cup.

A new format for the 14-team ODI World Cup

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will continue to feature 14 teams, but will now be played in a three-tier format before the knockout rounds.Under the modified structure, the three lowest-ranked qualified teams (the 12th, 13th, and 14th teams) will first compete in a “super series” against each other. The winner will join the remaining 11 teams in the next stage.The second round will consist of two groups of six teams, with each group playing each other. The top three teams from each group, along with the next highest placed team in both groups, advance to the Super 7 stage.The Super 7 will feature one round involving seven teams. The top four teams then qualify for the semi-finals, with the first playing fourth and the second playing third. The winners will meet in the final.The ICC said the new format is designed to increase the importance of each match from the start of the tournament while preserving opportunities for up-and-coming teams to compete on the biggest stage.

The T20 World Cup will feature Super 10s and eliminators

The 20-team ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will also undergo a significant overhaul.Instead of four groups of five teams, the preliminary stage will now include five groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group qualify for the next stage, which has been expanded from Super Eights to Super 10s.The Super 10 will be played in two groups of five teams each. The team that finishes first in each group qualifies directly for the semi-finals.The second-placed teams in each group will face the third-placed team from the opposite group in two eliminators. The winners of these matches will complete the semi-final line-up.The ICC said the revised structure increases the number of teams competing in the second phase from eight to 10, creating greater opportunities for emerging nations while ensuring stronger competition throughout the tournament. The introduction of eliminators is also expected to add significance to the final matches of the Super 10 stage.

New qualification track for T20 World Cup 2028

The ICC has also approved the qualification system for the 2028 Men’s Under-20 World Cup.Scotland will gain direct entry into the European regional finals in recognition of the exceptional circumstances surrounding its participation in the 2026 tournament.Teams that played in the T20 World Cup 2026 but did not secure automatic qualification will go directly to the Global Qualifier.The remaining eight Global Qualifier spots will be decided through regional qualifiers, with Africa, Asia and Europe receiving two spots each, while the North and South Asia and East Asia-Pacific regions will each have one berth.

Which change in ICC tournaments do you think is the most beneficial?

More than 3,000 users shared the opinion today

More than 5,000 users have already voted today

More than 3,000 users shared the opinion today

Share an opinionFrom the Global Qualifier, the highest-placed team from each region, along with the other three top-performing teams overall, will qualify for the 2028 T20 World Cup, subject to minimum performance criteria.