World Cup format changes revealed by ICC

The ICC has announced revamped structures for its two men's World Cup tournaments, including the creation of new 'Super Series' and 'Super Seven' rounds at next year's 50-over tournament.

World cricket's governing body says the changes, which were approved at its annual board meetings in Edinburgh, are designed "to elevate competitiveness and consequence" of its men's flagship global events.

The first change will come into force at the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which is being co-hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe in October-November next year.

• Shubman Gill inspires India to win over England in first ODI
• Stream England cricket and more contract-free with NOW
• Listen to episodes of the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast

While the tournament will feature 14 teams as previously planned, the three lowest-ranked sides will now first face each other in a 'Super Series' round in which only the top team will progress to a main 12-team group phase.

The top three teams from each main group, plus the next best-placed team across both, will then qualify for a new 'Super 7' round.

The two four teams from the Super 7 round will then progress to the semi-finals.

An ICC statement read: "The structure has been designed to strengthen the competitive narrative across every stage of the event, with matches from Round 1 and Round 2 carrying higher consequence with a highly competitive Super 7 stage witnessing 7 qualifying teams going through a round-robin stage to qualify for the semi-finals.

"The increased consequence and enhanced competitive intensity promises to enhance the overall experience for fans while continuing to provide emerging teams with the opportunity to compete on cricket's biggest stage."

An additional team in the round-robin phase increases the prospects of an extra match between India and Pakistan, by far the most lucrative fixture the sport has to offer and one the ICC is eager to facilitate at all times given the rival boards' refusal to play each other in bilateral contests.

What's changing for the T20 World Cup?

There are also format changes in store for the next edition of the T20 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2028.

While there will still be 20 nations involved from the outset, the number of teams competing in the second stage of the tournament will increase from eight to 10, with that stage to therefore be renamed Super 10.

And, in a further twist, while the top team in each of the two groups will progress to the semi-finals, the teams placed second will each play a new 'Eliminator' match against the third-placed team in the opposite group to determine the remaining two final-four places.

"This promises to expand the representation of cricket's emerging nations in the Super 10 stage while also delivering higher competitive standards," said the ICC.

"The addition of 'eliminators' where the second and third ranked teams from groups in the Super 10 stage compete against each other for spots in the semi-finals also then adds significant consequence to the closing matches of the Super 10 stage.

Scotland, meanwhile, have been told they must compete in the European qualifying tournament - making them the only team who participated in the 2026 edition who must go back to a regional qualifier.

A new 'marquee' event for associate nations has also been recommended but awaits final approval in November.