The Men’s ODI World Cup is set to adopt a new format of competition.
The 14-team tournament will retain the same number of participating teams but adopt a four-stage format.
The International Cricket Council has said that the revamped structure is designed to ensure greater consequence from the opening match and a stronger competitive narrative throughout the tournament.
- Pre-tournament: CWC Qualifiers
This is where the eight qualified teams, four from League 2 and four from the Qualifier Play-offs, meet the two lowest-ranked non-host full-member nations, Ireland and West Indies in this edition.
The 10 teams will compete in a tournament, with the top four eventually securing spots at the World Cup. The top-ranked team will advance directly to the second round, while the other three will play a single round-robin Super Series, with the winner joining them in the second round.
- Super Series – stage one of the main event
This Super Series will get the tournament officially underway from October 2. The Three-time Super Series will be held in Windhoek and will decide the final Group Stage team. This has been a contentious development with Associate Members making their displeasure known.
The main group stage will be played in a round-robin format with the top three teams from each group and the next best-ranked side progressing to a seven-team super 7 stage.
Seven teams that have made this stage will play a round-robin phase from which the top four teams will qualify for the semifinals.
The top four teams after the Super 7 phase progress to the semi-finals. The team finishing top of the Super 7 standings will face fourth, with the second and third-placed teams going head-to-head.
The first Semifinal will be held on 17 November in Cape Town and 18 November in Tshwane. Both semifinals will have a reserve day.
The Final will take place on 21 November in Johannesburg, with a reserve day on 22 November if necessary.
Published on Oct 01, 2026
