12 teams will feature in the main group stage following an initial qualifying Super Series.
Earlier this year, the apex body confirmed the format for the quadrennial event, citing that there would be 12 teams in two groups of six, rather than 14 as originally planned.
The tournament will begin with a preliminary round-robin featuring the three lowest-ranked qualified teams (teams 12, 13, and 14). Only the winner of this round will advance to the main group stage, while the other two teams will be eliminated immediately.
Australian legend Steve Waugh has now joined the bandwagon of critics, slamming the ICC for changing the World Cup format, calling it a 'backward step'.
“It was a backward step, the ODI World Cup went from 14 teams to 12. I don’t understand that rationale. When you look at FIFA (World Cup), who went from 32 to 48 teams in the last World Cup in soccer (football), and we’ve gone the other way in cricket," the 1999 World Cup-winning captain said in a recent interview with The Telegraph.
“If we want it to be a global game, we’ve got to be inclusive and encourage other teams. And the only way you get better is through more competition and by playing those tougher teams," he added.
Not long ago, Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) issued a strong joint statement, condemning the newly introduced Super Series preliminary round.
"The changes risk weakening the integrity and credibility of international cricket, and only highlight the importance of strong governance, transparent decision-making and effective engagement with members," the statement said.
“Changing those structures at short notice creates significant uncertainty, disrupts planning, and places additional operational and financial pressure on organisations that are already operating with limited resources,” the statement added.
The two cricket boards also lambasted the global governing body for tweaking the World Cup format without proper consultation, leaving Associate members feeling disrespected and ignored.
"Cricket Scotland, KNCB and other Associate members met twice with the ICC, seeking official written communication on the changes and greater clarity around the processes involved," the statement read.
“We also requested positive action to strengthen future operational decision-making and an invitation to bilateral planning meetings with full members. Since the second meeting more than two weeks ago, there has been no further response from the ICC, which is disappointing and disrespectful given the significance of the issues raised,” it further stated.
Earlier, in a media release, the ICC had confirmed that the 2027 ODI World Cup will feature four distinct stages -- a preliminary Super Series, a Group round split into two groups, a Super 7 round, and the Knockouts.
In Round 1, the three lowest-ranked qualified teams will play a Super Series, and only the top side will qualify for Round 2, where there would be two groups of 6. Top three teams from each group plus the next-highest-placed team overall will make it to the Super 7, while the top four teams from the Super 7 will progress to the semi-finals.