ICC Overhauls ODI and T20 World Cup Formats
The 50-over World Cup gets a three-stage structure with a new 'Super 7' and no quarterfinals, while the T20 World Cup adopts a 'Super 10' round.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a comprehensive overhaul of the formats for its two marquee men's events — the 50-over Cricket World Cup and the T20 World Cup — following its board meetings in Edinburgh. The ICC said the changes are designed to “elevate competitiveness and consequence” and create more meaningful contests from the opening match to the final.
Key Highlights
- The ODI World Cup keeps 14 teams but adds a three-stage structure.
- A new 'Super Series' opens the event for the three lowest-ranked teams.
- A 'Super 7' stage replaces the old Super Six; there are no quarterfinals.
- The T20 World Cup shifts to five groups of four feeding a 'Super 10'.
- A revamped format could produce an extra India-Pakistan clash.
The New ODI World Cup Format
The 50-over World Cup will continue to feature 14 teams but follow a three-stage path to the final, according to the ICC and multiple outlets. It opens with a new Super Series involving the teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th in qualification, who play a round-robin from which only the winner advances — effectively trimming the field to 12 for the main phase.
From there, Sporting News reported, Round 2 consists of two groups of six teams, with the top three from each group plus the next-best team overall progressing to a newly created Super 7 stage, which leads into the knockouts. Al Jazeera noted the tournament will have no quarterfinals.
ODI World Cup: the three stages
| Stage | Format |
|---|---|
| Super Series | Teams 12, 13, 14 round-robin; winner advances |
| Round 2 | Two groups of six |
| Super 7 | Top three per group plus next best overall |
| Knockouts | Semifinals and final (no quarterfinals) |
The New T20 World Cup Format
The T20 World Cup will change its group stage from four groups of five to five groups of four, with the top two from each group advancing to a new Super 10 stage, according to Sportstar. The 10 qualifiers are split into two groups of five and play round-robin, with the group winners advancing to the semifinals, the ICC said. The board also approved the qualification structure for the 2028 T20 World Cup.
Why the ICC Made the Changes
The ICC framed the revamp as a way to strengthen the competitive structure of both events and enhance the experience for players and fans, ensuring meaningful matches throughout. In practice, adding stages creates more high-stakes games and, potentially, more marquee fixtures.
The India-Pakistan Angle
One consequence drawing attention is commercial as much as sporting: Al Jazeera and The Guardian noted the revamped structure could produce an additional India-Pakistan match, among the most-watched fixtures in world cricket, boosting broadcast and sponsorship value.
Who It Affects and How
Fans: More stages mean more consequential matches, though a longer, multi-round path can be harder to follow.
Smaller and associate nations: The lowest-ranked teams face an early Super Series play-in, raising the stakes of qualification.
Broadcasters and sponsors: Additional marquee games, potentially including India-Pakistan, increase commercial value.
Players: A denser schedule adds workload considerations across a tournament.
The Debate
Not all reaction was positive. The Guardian described the 14-team format as “convoluted,” noting it trims to 12 teams almost immediately, while Al Jazeera pointed out the 50-over event loses the clear-cut jeopardy of quarterfinals. Supporters counter that the extra rounds create more context and fewer dead rubbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams play the ODI World Cup now?
It keeps 14 teams, but a Super Series play-in reduces the main phase to 12.
Are there quarterfinals?
No. The revamped 50-over World Cup has no quarterfinals.
What changes in the T20 World Cup?
The group stage becomes five groups of four, feeding a Super 10 round before the semifinals.
Could there be an extra India-Pakistan match?
Yes. Reports note the new structure could produce an additional India-Pakistan fixture.
Why did the ICC change the formats?
To elevate competitiveness and consequence and create more meaningful matches.