Ireland will also play in the World Cup Qualifiers after losing to Afghanistan in the second ODI.
West Indies, the 1975 and 1979 World Cup winners, have failed to secure their spot directly in the ICC World Cup 2027. The marquee ODI cricket event will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October-November next year.
The Shai Hope-led side will now have to play the World Cup Qualifiers to book their berth for the ICC 50-over event. Afghanistan defeated Ireland by 92 runs in the rain-soaked second ODI of their five-match series at Bready Cricket Club on Friday, August 7, meaning the West Indies were not directly qualified.
The outcome prevented the West Indies from breaking into the direct qualification spots before the September 30, 2026 deadline and ensured Afghanistan a straight spot at the 2027 World Cup.
This is the third consecutive instance of West Indies failing to qualify for the World Cup directly. West Indies had also failed to secure direct qualification for the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups. The Windies managed to secure qualification for the 2019 edition of the World Cup in England, but shockingly failed to make it into the ICC World Cup 2023, which was played in India.
Co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe will automatically qualify for the 2027 ODI World Cup, according to the qualification rules. The next seven direct qualification positions will be decided by the ICC ODI rankings, with a deadline of September 30, 2026.
According to the ICC ODI team rankings, West Indies is now ranked tenth, Afghanistan is eighth, Bangladesh is ninth, and Zimbabwe is eleventh. However, the top nine teams in the rankings will immediately qualify, and West Indies cannot place in the top nine by the September 30 deadline due to Zimbabwe's direct participation in the tournament.
The West Indies' trip to India for a three-match series in September and October will be their last significant ODI assignment before the deadline. The first two matches will take place in Guwahati on September 30 and Thiruvananthapuram on September 27.
West Indies' chances of qualifying for the World Cup will depend on the qualifiers, even if they win both games.
Ireland must participate in the ODI World Cup 2027 qualifications alongside the West Indies. The Irish team's hopes were severely damaged after the series opener in Bready on Wednesday (August 5) was canceled due to weather. The Irish team needed to win their home series against Afghanistan 5-0 to stay in the direct qualification competition.
(Times of India inputs)