As part of a larger plan to increase cricket's worldwide reach, the ICC is considering expanding the Men's T20 World Cup from 20 to 24 teams starting in 2032.
According to the Telegraph report, discussions have intensified following the 2026 edition's success in India and Sri Lanka, with the governing body eager to expand chances for developing cricket nations while reaching out to new markets.
After a growth from 16 to 20 teams in 2024, this would be the competition's second significant expansion in just over ten years. The report claims that the ICC wants to host a 32-team T20 World Cup to replicate the growth seen in several international sporting competitions.
It is anticipated that administrators would adopt a phased strategy, expanding the field to 24 teams at first before determining whether a further expansion is feasible in the coming years.
The report further added that the ICC believes the T20 format is the best way to expand the game globally, especially since cricket is scheduled to return to the Olympic program at the 2028 Los Angeles Games after a hiatus of more than a century.
A bigger T20 World Cup is anticipated to boost the sport's visibility in emerging markets and provide associate nations more exposure and qualifying opportunities. The next two editions of the T20 World Cup would not be impacted by any changes.
The current 20-team structure is anticipated to be maintained for the 2028 edition in Australia and New Zealand as well as the 2030 event; if accepted, the proposed expansion will only take effect in 2032.
Only recently did the ICC adopt a new format for the 20-team T20 World Cup from the 2028 edition, which kept the number of participating teams but replaced the Super Eight stage with a Super 10 and eliminators. The modifications were intended to improve the tournament structure and create more meaningful match-ups.
The ICC would not be the first international sports organization to expand the scope of its premier competition. FIFA increased the number of teams competing in the men's football World Cup from 32 to 48 starting with the 2026 tournament, which was hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Up until the 2022 edition, the men's T20 World Cup had 16 teams. In 2024, the number of teams increased to 20, allowing more Associate nations to participate on the biggest platform.
The extended competition included teams from the USA, Scotland, and the Netherlands, demonstrating the ICC's efforts to extend the game's appeal outside its traditional strongholds.
However, a bigger competition would also bring up issues with scheduling, tournament duration, and the already packed international schedule.
One of the ICC's main problems is expected to be allowing a larger World Cup without adding to the demands on players and bilateral commitments, given the growing importance of franchise leagues in the cricket calendar.
(Telegraph report)
