The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finalized the schedule window for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, with the tournament set to take place from October 4 to November 21, 2027. The event will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, bringing the prestigious tournament back to the African continent for the first time since 2003.

One of the biggest changes for the 2027 edition is the return of the 14-team format, marking a departure from the 10-team structure used in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. The expanded format is expected to provide more opportunities for emerging cricket nations to compete on the sport’s biggest stage while increasing the tournament’s global reach and competitiveness.

Under the revised structure, the 14 teams will be divided into two groups of seven teams each. The top-performing sides will then progress to the Super Six stage, followed by the knockout rounds, including the semi-finals and final. This format was previously used in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 World Cups and is widely regarded as a balanced system that combines league-stage consistency with high-stakes knockout cricket.

The decision reflects the ICC’s continued efforts to expand the game internationally and create a more inclusive global tournament. With several associate nations showing significant improvement in recent years, the expanded World Cup is expected to deliver more competitive matches and exciting new rivalries.

Cricket fans around the world can now begin the countdown to what promises to be one of the most diverse and eagerly anticipated editions of the ODI World Cup in recent history.