ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 hosted by West Indies and US to be played from June 4 to 30: Report

The showpiece tournament will have 20 teams for the first time in its history.

The 2024 edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played from June 4 to 30 in West Indies and USA, ESPNcricinfo reported.

According to the report, the ICC has shortlisted 10 venues, including four from USA, for the showpiece tournament which will have 20 teams for the first time in its history.

The report claims that an ICC team has inspected some of USA's venues this week. Florida's Lauderhill has already staged T20 international matches and will be hosting two more T20Is between India and West Indies next month. Dallas and Morrisville are hosting the ongoing Major League Cricket (MLC) and are among the shortlisted venues for the World Cup.

New York's Van Cortlandt Park is under consideration but the venue is yet to receive international status, which is mandatory as per ICC rules. Dallas' Grand Prairie Stadium and Church Street Park of Morrisville are also yet to get their international venue status from the apex body.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) is a primary host of the T20 World Cup 2024 and is likely to stage the majority of the games, including the final.

Earlier this week, Ireland and Scotland booked T20 World Cup ticket by securing the top two spots in regional qualifiers. Papua New Guinea also secured the World Cup qualification by winning East Asia-Pacific Qualifier.

This is the first time 20 teams will be competing in the T20 World Cup. West Indies and USA have qualified as host nations while Australia, England, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka secured direct qualification being the top eight teams from the previous edition. Bangladesh and Afghanistan qualified as they top in the ICC T20 standings after pre-qualified teams.

Five remaining spots will be filled by regional qualifiers, two from Asia, two from Africa, and one from America.

As far as the tournament format is concerned, 20 teams will be divided into four groups of five each in the first round. The top two teams from each group will then make the Super 8 round and will be split into two groups. The top two teams from each Super 8 group will reach the semi-finals.

(With ESPNcricinfo Inputs)