The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have confirmed the qualification pathway for cricket’s return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028. They also announced the first ever ICC Olympics Qualifier.
Cricket will return to the Olympics for the first time since 1900. Six teams will compete in both the men’s and women’s T20 tournaments. Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania will each have guaranteed representation.
The ICC will award five qualification places through existing ICC tournaments and the ICC T20I rankings. The new ICC Olympics Qualifier in 2027 will decide the sixth and final spot in both competitions.
The ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has already produced the first qualifiers. Australia, Great Britain through England, India and South Africa secured Olympic places after finishing as the highest ranked eligible teams from their respective continents. Each continent could qualify only one nation.
Rankings and new qualifier to decide remaining teams
The USA can qualify automatically as host in both competitions. However, each team must enter the top 15 of the relevant ICC T20I rankings between June 30 and December 31, 2026.
If either USA team misses that target, the ICC will award the automatic place to the next highest ranked eligible nation.
The West Indies cannot compete directly because they represent several Caribbean countries instead of one IOC recognised National Olympic Committee. If either West Indies team ranks among the top eight non qualified sides by December 31, 2026, the region will stage a Caribbean Qualifier. The winning National Olympic Committee will then enter the ICC Olympics Qualifier in 2027.
The ICC will determine the remaining men’s automatic places through the ICC Men’s T20I rankings. The highest ranked eligible teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania will book direct places at LA28.
The ICC Olympics Qualifier will feature eight men’s teams and eight women’s teams. The ICC will announce the dates and host country later.
ICC says Olympic return will grow the game
ICC Chairman Jay Shah welcomed the announcement and described it as a major milestone.
“Cricket’s return to the Olympic Games is a landmark moment for our sport and a powerful opportunity to showcase the very best of cricket to the world. The confirmation of this qualification pathway is an important step towards Los Angeles 2028 and gives Members across the world a clear and exciting route to the Olympic stage.”
He added: “The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of multi event sport, and cricket’s inclusion at LA28 will inspire players and fans in every region. This is an historic moment, and one of great opportunity for our Members, as we continue to grow the game and take it to new audiences around the world.”
ICC Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta said: “Cricket’s return to the Olympic Games gives the sport a unique showcase on global sport’s grandest stage, supporting its introduction to new audiences and development in emerging markets, while providing the Olympic movement a gateway into the hearts and minds of more than two billion Cricket fans.”
He added: “This qualification structure has been designed to optimise competitive standards and global representation within the IOC and LA28 participation guidelines. We are leveraging the existing ICC elite competition structure and introducing a new qualification event, which adds an exciting new milestone on the journey to LA28.”
Each qualified nation can select a squad of 15 players. The six teams will compete in two groups of three. Every team will play two group matches and two crossover matches. The top two teams will compete for gold. The third and fourth placed teams will play for bronze. Organisers will stage all 28 matches at the purpose built cricket venue in Pomona, California.
