LA Olympics cricket: Why two-time T20 World Cup champions West Indies are coming – explained

West Indies are two-time champions of the Men’s T20 World Cup with their last triumph in 2016. New Delhi: Two-time men’s T20 World Cup champions West Indies will miss out on cricket’s return to the Olympics in 2028 after the qualification process was revealed on Monday (June 29). Six teams will play in the men’s and women’s T20 competitions at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics.In addition to the four highest-placed eligible National Olympic Committees (NOCs) on the continent and one quota place for the host USA, one more place will be decided based on the Final Olympic Global Qualification Tournament (FOCGQT). Based on the rankings as of 31 December 2026, a qualifying tournament will be played, featuring “the next eight highest-placed eligible teams that have not yet qualified”.If West Indies, who are currently seventh in the ICC T20I rankings, the ICC will organize a regional tournament for the West Indies nations.It will be played for which NOC will compete in the FOCGQT. Unlike the ICC, which recognizes a collection of Caribbean islands as Western Independent Countries, this is not the case with the IOC (International Olympic Committee).The IOC therefore recognizes Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the US Virgin Islands as separate NOCs. However, the ICC does not.The NOV that wins the FOGQT secures the final place in the Olympic quota.Cricket returns to the Olympics after 128 years. Cricket was last played at the 1900 Paris Olympics.Cricket at LA2028Men: 6 teamsWomen: 6 teamsMen’s event1 team: The host USA will qualify if they remain in the top 15 on December 31, 2026.4 teams: Highest placed eligible NOC continentally on 31 December (India, England, Australia, South Africa qualify based on current ranking)1 team: Final Olympic Global Qualification Tournament (FOGQT) of the other eight highest-placed eligible teams that have not yet qualified. West Indies, if they meet the ranking criteria, will play their Caribbean islands’ regional tournament.* New Zealand (currently ranked 4th) would not qualify automatically as Australia are already the highest ranked team in Oceania.* Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would miss out as India occupies the continental berth of Asia. He will likely head into the qualifiers.Events for womenUnlike the men’s event, which is decided by standings, the women’s event will be decided by the ongoing T20 World Cup.4 teams: Automatic places go to the highest placed eligible NOVs from four different continents in the ongoing T20 World Cup. As a result, India, South Africa, Australia and England qualify.1 team: The USA will qualify as hosts if they remain in the top-15 rankings. There are currently 20.1 team: One final spot comes via a global qualifying tournament, which will be played between the other eight highest-placed eligible teams that did not qualify.Again, West Indies, if in this category, will play a regional tournament to determine which NOC qualifies for the Olympics.