The qualification tournament for the 2027 ICC One Day International (ODI) World Cup is set to take place from February 22 to March 23 next year. Although ICC has announced the dates for the qualifiers, the venues for the competition have yet to be finalized. The World Cup, hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, will feature a total of 14 teams. (20 Shrawan, Kathmandu)
While the dates for the qualifiers are confirmed, the specific locations remain undecided. According to the new World Cup format released earlier by the ICC, 10 teams will compete in the qualifiers, with the winner securing direct entry into the 14-team World Cup lineup. The teams finishing second, third, and fourth in the qualifiers will participate in the first phase of the World Cup, known as the “Super Series.” Among these three teams, the best performing one will advance to the main stage consisting of 12 teams.
The 2027 World Cup is scheduled to be held from October 4 to November 21 across 12 stadiums in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Besides hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, the qualification tournament will include the two lowest-ranked full member nations in the ICC ODI rankings as of September 30, 2026, the top four teams from the World Cup League 2, and four teams advancing through the World Cup qualifier playoffs.
The qualifier playoffs will feature eight teams: the bottom four from League 2 and the top four from the Challenge League. The top four teams from this stage will earn spots in the World Cup qualifiers. The Challenge League comprises 12 teams divided into two groups, each playing a three-stage round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will move on to the qualifier playoffs. Currently, West Indies is ranked 10th in the ICC ODI rankings. Following two ODIs against India in September, it will be decided whether West Indies can qualify directly for the World Cup. Should they fail to rank in the top eight, West Indies will have to go through the qualifiers again. The team previously failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup, losing in a super over against the Netherlands during the qualifier tournament held in Harare, thereby missing out on the tournament.
