ICC Unveils New Format for 2027 ODI World Cup, Raising Possibility of Extra Pakistan-India Clash
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a revamped format for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, introducing a new tournament structure that could increase the chances of an additional blockbuster match between cricket rivals Pakistan and India.
The 2027 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted in southern Africa, will continue to feature 14 participating teams. However, the competition will begin with a preliminary stage, where the three lowest-ranked qualifying teams will compete for a single place in the main tournament.
The remaining 12 teams will then be divided into two groups of six, replacing the previous group-stage format. Following the group matches, the ICC will introduce a new “Super Seven” stage, replacing the former Super Six round.
Unlike previous editions, the revamped tournament will not include quarter-finals. Instead, teams will progress directly from the Super Seven phase to the semi-finals, a move the ICC says is designed to make every match more meaningful throughout the competition.
One of the biggest talking points surrounding the new format is the increased possibility of multiple Pakistan-India encounters. With an expanded round-robin phase, the two teams could potentially face each other more than once if both advance through the tournament.
A Pakistan-India match remains the biggest commercial attraction in international cricket, drawing massive global television audiences and generating significant broadcasting and sponsorship revenue for the ICC.
Due to ongoing political tensions, however, the two neighboring nations no longer play bilateral cricket series and only meet during ICC tournaments or major multi-nation events. India last toured Pakistan for a bilateral Test and ODI series in 2006.
Explaining the changes, the ICC said the revised World Cup format aims to “create greater context, competitiveness and consequence during the event,” ensuring every match carries increased importance as teams battle for a place in the knockout stages.
