The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a series of major proposed changes to the formats of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup and ICC Men's T20 World Cup, introducing new competition structures aimed at making every match more significant from the opening stages of both tournaments.
The governing body also approved the qualification pathway for the 2028 T20 World Cup and proposed a new tournament for associate nations, with final approval for that event expected at the ICC Board meeting in November.
According to the ICC, the Men's Cricket World Cup will feature a new 14-team format along with a revamped competition structure.
A Super Series round will be added after the group stage, creating a three-stage tournament format designed to increase the importance of every match from the very beginning of the competition.
Super 7 stage to determine semi-finalists
Under the new structure, the tournament will move into a Super 7 stage following the initial group phase.
The seven best-performing teams will progress to the Super 7 round, where they will continue competing for places in the knockout stage.
At the end of the Super 7 phase, the top four teams in the standings will qualify for the semi-finals.
T20 World Cup format
The ICC also announced significant changes to the 20-team ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
Under the revised format, the tournament's second phase will expand from eight teams to ten teams, giving more sides an opportunity to remain in contention after the group stage.
As part of the new format, two teams from each group will qualify for the newly created Super 10 stage. Following the Super 10 phase, eliminator matches will be played between the teams finishing second and third in the standings.
The winners of those eliminator fixtures will then advance to the tournament's semi-finals.
Tournament for associate nations
The ICC has also proposed a new 16-team international tournament exclusively for associate member nations.
According to the governing body, the event would be staged before the T20 World Cup to provide associate teams with additional competitive opportunities on the international stage.
The proposal is expected to receive final consideration during the ICC Board meeting scheduled for November.
2028 T20 World Cup approved
The ICC Board also approved the qualification system for the 2028 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Under the approved pathway, teams will qualify for the Global Qualifier through their respective regional competitions.
The best-performing teams in the Global Qualifier will secure places at the 2028 T20 World Cup.
The ICC also confirmed that Scotland has been granted a special exemption in the qualification process for the 2028 tournament.
According to the ICC, the revised tournament formats are intended to increase the competitive value of every fixture from the opening stages while creating more meaningful contests throughout both World Cups.
The governing body believes the proposed structures will strengthen competition, provide more opportunities for emerging teams, and enhance the overall excitement of its flagship global events.
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