The International Cricket Council (ICC) has provisionally scheduled the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup from October 4 to November 21, marking the return of cricket’s flagship 50-over event to Africa for the first time in nearly a quarter century.
According to details discussed at the ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad in May, the tournament will take place across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The governing body is expected to formally approve the schedule and operational details at its Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh in July.
The event will feature 14 teams and 54 matches, restoring the larger format last used before the previous two editions were reduced to 10 teams.
South Africa is expected to host the majority of the tournament. Cricket officials anticipate at least 41 matches will take place across eight South African venues.
Zimbabwe will likely stage between eight and 10 matches. The country will use three venues instead of the originally planned two. Alongside Harare Sports Club and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, Victoria Falls will also host matches.
Namibia is expected to host three games.
A major addition to Zimbabwe’s preparations is the new Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls. Construction is nearing completion and officials expect the venue to host domestic cricket later this year before its formal inauguration in May 2027.
South Africa had initially explored plans to open the stadium with an international fixture in August 2026, but organisers have postponed those discussions.
Africa Hosts ODI World Cup for First Time Since 2003
The 2027 edition will become the first ODI World Cup held in Africa since the 2003 tournament, which South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya jointly hosted.
Since then, South Africa has organised several major ICC events, including the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Zimbabwe and Namibia also successfully co-hosted the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2026.
The tournament format will feature two groups of seven teams. The top three sides from each group will progress to the Super Six stage before the knockout rounds.
As Full Members of the ICC, South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify automatically. Namibia must secure qualification through the ICC pathway.
Wider ICC Decisions Still Await Approval
The World Cup will also launch the ICC’s 2027-2031 Future Tours Programme (FTP), which governs bilateral international cricket schedules.
Cricket administrators continue to discuss several major issues linked to the new FTP cycle.
One key topic is the future structure of the World Test Championship (WTC). ICC officials are considering expanding the competition to include all 12 Full Member nations.
Currently, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan do not participate in the WTC.
Officials are also debating whether standalone Test matches should count toward WTC standings.
Sources indicate the ICC could take a final decision on both matters during the Edinburgh AGM. Once members approve the framework, officials will finalise the full FTP schedule later this year.
For now, attention turns to the 2027 ODI World Cup, a tournament that promises to bring cricket’s biggest prize back to African soil and showcase the sport across three nations with growing ambitions on the global stage.
