The ICC World Cup 2027 will be played in October-November in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The 50-over World Cup returns to Africa for the first time since the 2003 edition, though South Africa hosted the T20 World Cup 2027 and an edition of the Champions Trophy in 2009.

On October 1, 2026, the ICC unveiled the groups for the World Cup event in 2027. Ten teams have already qualified for the main draw of the tournament, and four more teams will be added via the ICC World Cup 2027 Qualifiers.

India, Pakistan, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have qualified for the ICC World Cup 2027 directly, and two more spots in the two groups will be filled via the Super Series.

As per the ICC release, Group A consists of six-time World Cup winners Australia, Afghanistan, two-time winners India, 1992 World Cup winners Pakistan, and Zimbabwe, with Qualifier A to be added later.

Group B consists of equally amazing teams: Bangladesh, 2019 winners; England, hosts; South Africa, 1996 winners; Sri Lanka; and New Zealand, with one open spot for Qualifier B.  

The remaining places will be decided through the preliminary stage. Three of the lowest-ranked qualified teams will compete in a round-robin Super Series, with the top-ranked team advancing to the main group stage.

The 2027 Cricket World Cup will be hosted at Johannesburg, Cape Town, Centurion, Durban, Gqeberha, KuGompo City (East London), Paarl, and Bloemfontein in South Africa. Zimbabwe’s Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls will also be hosts, while Windhoek, Namibia, will also be hosting the ICC event.

The 2027 World Cup will be played in a new format, with the Super Series consisting of the three lowest-ranked of the 14 qualified teams playing a round-robin series. The winner advances to Round 2.

The second round will be the group stage with 12 teams, consisting of ten directly qualified teams, divided into two groups of six teams each, and with a round-robin format. The top three from each group, plus the best-placed fourth-place team across both groups, advance.

The new Super 7 round will see the seven qualifying teams play a single round-robin against each other. The top four in the final standings progress to the semi-finals.

The semi-finals will see the teams finishing first in the Super 7 standings play the fourth-placed side, while the second-place team plays the third-placed team. Winners of the two semi-finals will play in the final of the ICC World Cup 2027.

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(ICC inputs)