ICC set to finalise qualification format for LA Olympics 2028 and WTC in April end

International cricket is all set to see some of the biggest changes in years. After weeks of delays and confusion, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is ready to meet again later this month to make some big decisions, including test cricket and the format for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.

The International Cricket Council Board and Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meetings scheduled for March 2026 in Doha were postponed because of the Iran war situation. However, they had an online meeting, but they could not make a major decision.

Now, the ICC board has decided to hold an in-person meeting to clear all the pending issues. However, the date and venue for this high-profile meeting have not yet been revealed.

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12-Team WTC set to return after two-tier mess-up

One of the biggest decisions waiting for approval is the expansion of the ICC World Test Championship. The global body had tried to push a two-tier system, but smaller nations strongly opposed it. Because of that, the new WTC cycle is all but confirmed to have 12 teams from 2027.

Along with the current nine top Test-playing teams, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland are expected to join them in the WTC, according to the Cricket Financial Journal. It is also being said that the ICC's Chief Executives’ Committee has already given the green signal for the 12-team WCT.

Most cricket boards have already supported this system, but some powerful nations still want more clarity before giving the final nod to the proposal.

Proposed FTP plans give hope to smaller nations

The report also suggested that the cricket teams have already begun planning their next tours under the upcoming Future Tours Programme (FTP). It is being said that every team will need to play a minimum number of Tests in the next WTC cycle.

Interestingly, the ICC is also trying to add one-off Tests to help the smaller nations. For example, Zimbabwe is pushing the idea that the visiting teams should visit the country if they tour South Africa. Australia will be doing something similar later this year, although only for white-ball matches.

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Qualification format all but finalized for LA Olympics 2028

Cricket’s return to the Olympics is expected to be grand. Both men’s and women’s events will have six teams each at the Los Angeles Olympics 2028. One team from every major region—Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania—will get a direct entry through rankings. The United States, being the host nation, will automatically represent the Americas in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The final spot will be filled through the global qualifier, likely to be held in 2027, involving the top eight teams that miss direct entry. Earlier, the women’s spots were supposed to depend on the upcoming T20 World Cup, but now both formats will follow the same qualification model. This means the USA women’s team will qualify directly despite their lower ranking.

The ICC is to finalize all decisions before the annual meeting

The ICC wants to wrap up everything before the annual conference in Edinburgh in July. Well, the Middle East crisis has caused travel issues for ICC officials in Dubai, but they are now pushing to reschedule their upcoming in-person board meeting later this month.

Bangkok has emerged as a likely venue, with the official announcements over these matters expected before the end of April.