ICC World Cup Format changes could increase the chances of an additional match between India and Pakistan during the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup after the International Cricket Council approved a revised tournament structure.
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According to the ICC, the 2027 ODI World Cup will remain a 14-team competition. However, the three lowest-ranked qualified teams will first compete in a preliminary round. Only one team will advance to the main tournament.
Meanwhile, the main competition will feature 12 teams divided into two groups of six. The ICC will also replace the previous Super Six stage with a new Super Seven phase.
Unlike previous editions, the tournament will not include quarter-finals. Instead, teams will progress through the revised group and Super Seven stages before reaching the knockout phase.
The expanded group stage increases the possibility of an additional meeting between India and Pakistan. The two teams now play each other only in ICC and Asian Cricket Council tournaments because of ongoing political tensions.
India and Pakistan remain the biggest commercial attraction in international cricket. Their matches generate significant global television audiences and major broadcasting revenues for the ICC.
The last bilateral series between the two countries took place in Pakistan in 2006, when India toured for Test and One-Day International matches.
In a statement, the ICC said the new format would create “greater context, competitiveness and consequence” throughout the tournament.
Furthermore, the ICC approved changes to the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup. The event will remain a 20-team competition. However, 10 teams will advance from the group stage instead of eight.
Under the new system, the top two teams in the Super 10 stage will qualify directly for the semi-finals. The remaining four teams will compete in an eliminator round to determine the other two semi-finalists.
