ICC leadership explores global growth through expanded T20 World Cup and Olympic qualification changes
The International Cricket Council (ICC) took major steps toward shaping the future of global cricket during its annual general meeting (AGM) held in Singapore, with two key discussions dominating the agenda: a potential expansion of the T20 World Cup to 32 teams and a revamped qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The four-day AGM brought together the ICC’s most influential leaders, including a six-member working group tasked with assessing the structure of international formats and tournaments. Led by New Zealand’s Roger Twose, the group also includes senior representatives from India, Australia, and England—nations that have long held sway over the sport’s direction.
T20 World Cup expansion under serious consideration
One of the boldest proposals being explored is an expanded 32-team men’s T20 World Cup—a significant increase from the current 20-team format. The shift reflects a growing consensus that the game’s reach is deepening well beyond its traditional heartlands. The recent qualification of Italy, for example, has served as a timely reminder of cricket’s growing footprint in non-traditional markets.
The format had previously grown from 16 teams (between 2016 and 2022) to 20 teams in 2024, with the same number set to participate in the upcoming 2026 edition. However, the working group is seriously evaluating how a 32-team event could be structured, with the goal of balancing competitive integrity with broad global participation.
While the T20 format continues to evolve, there appears to be little appetite to further increase the team count at 50-over World Cups, which will remain at 14 teams for the 2027 edition following back-to-back 10-team tournaments in 2019 and 2023.
Test cricket structure and global competitiveness also under review
Beyond white-ball formats, the working group is also examining a “radical” proposal to divide Test-playing nations into two tiers. The idea of promotion and relegation has been floated as a way to inject greater competitiveness into the longest format, though financial distribution and scheduling complexities could pose significant obstacles to implementation.
This plan, if adopted, would mark the most sweeping overhaul of Test cricket’s structure in decades, potentially redefining the hierarchy among cricket’s full-member nations and opening the door for stronger competition from emerging sides.
Olympic qualification takes shape for LA 2028
Another key topic addressed at the AGM was the qualification model for cricket’s return to the Olympics at Los Angeles 2028. Under the proposed framework, regional rankings will play a pivotal role in determining the teams that qualify for the men’s event, which will be staged in Pomona, California, from July 12–29.
According to the current outline, the top-ranked teams in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa will automatically qualify, joining host United States (representing the Americas). The final spot will be contested through a single global qualifier—a middle-ground solution to concerns over costs and calendar congestion that had plagued earlier qualification proposals.
In the Caribbean, where West Indies is a composite team made up of multiple countries, a regional competition is expected to determine which individual nation will represent the region in the Olympic qualifier. This move underscores the complexity of aligning international cricket’s unique structures with the Olympic model.
For women’s cricket, Olympic qualification is set to be determined through performance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. However, whether the U.S. women’s team will receive an automatic berth remains unresolved.
The long-term hope among ICC decision-makers is for an expanded field of participating nations by the time cricket returns to the Olympic stage again at Brisbane 2032.
A turning point for cricket’s global ambitions
With final decisions from the AGM imminent, the discussions signal a clear intent by cricket’s leadership to aggressively grow the game beyond its current boundaries—both in terms of global reach and structural innovation.
If implemented, the 32-team T20 World Cup and Olympic qualification revamp could mark a transformative moment for the sport, expanding its fan base, commercial appeal, and competitive diversity at a time when international cricket faces increased pressure from domestic leagues and a congested calendar.
