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To add more excitement and more competition in both of the tournaments, the Council has approved newly shaped formats which will allow the fans to watch more competitive matches in the early stages of the ODI and T20I World Cups.
ICC approves new formats for ODI World Cup and T20I World Cup
On July 15, the world's cricket governing body issued a press release to notify the public about the changes in the formats. Ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, the ICC informed that the Men's Cricket World Cup will continue with 14 teams, but with four rounds, with the introduction of a ‘Super Series’ round before the ‘Group round’.
During the annual meeting in Scotland, the Chief Executives’ Committee proposed the newly chalked formats for the ODI World Cup and the T20I World Cup. As soon as proposed plans were approved by the Board, comprising three representatives from associate nations, the proposal to reframe the formats received no support from the top end of the Council.
"The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will see the participation of 14 eligible teams, but the revised format will entail a three-stage competition leading to the Finals, which creates greater context, competitiveness and consequence during the event, ensuring meaningful competition from the opening match through to the Finals," the ICC mentioned in its press release on July 15.
New format for the ODI World Cup explained
Previously, the initial stage of the ODI World Cup involved 42 matches with two groups, each with 7 teams. The top three teams from each group qualified for the next round, which was called the Super 6. From the Super 6 phase, which used to be divided into two separate groups, each with three teams, the top two teams qualified for the semifinals.
The final match used to be held between the two best teams in the semis. The refreshed format will start with Round 1, from where only the top team will progress into Round 2. The matches in Round 1 will be held in a round-robin format. In Round 2, there will be a total of 12 teams, separated into two different groups, six teams in each.
From each group, the total of 6 teams and the next highest placed will qualify for the next round, which will be another round-robin format competition. From this group of seven teams, four will move forward for the semifinals. And then the best two from the semis will progress into the final fixture of the tournament.
New format for the T20 World Cup explained
The total number of matches in the T20 World Cup group stage will be decreased. While there were 40 matches in the group stage, the new format will contain 30 through 5 groups of 4 teams each. Ten teams— two teams from five groups will enter the Super 10 phase, a phase with two groups of five teams each.
After 20 fixtures in this stage of the tournament, the top teams from each group will directly qualify for the semifinals, and the second- and third-placed teams will have to play Eliminators. There will be 2 Eliminator matches and two semifinals before the final match of the T20 World Cup.
Here are tables explaining the format:
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Format:
| Previous Format | New Format (Simplified) |
|---|---|
| Round 1: 14 teams split into 2 groups of 7 | Round 1: Teams 12, 13 & 14 play a mini round-robin. The winner advances. |
| Top 3 teams from each group reached the Super Six | Round 2: 12 teams divided into 2 groups of 6. The top 3 from each group plus the best fourth-placed team qualify. |
| Super Six: Two groups of three (9 matches) | Round 3: Super 7 round-robin featuring seven teams (21 matches). |
| Top 2 teams from each Super Six group reached the semi-finals | Top 4 teams from the Super 7 qualify for the semi-finals. |
| Semi-finals: 2 matches | Semi-finals: 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd. |
| Final | Final |
ICC Men's T20 World Cup Format:
| Previous Format | New Format (Simplified) |
|---|---|
| Group Stage: 40 matches | Group Stage: 30 matches |
| 4 groups of 5 teams | 5 groups of 4 teams |
| Top 2 teams from each group advanced | Top 2 teams from each group still qualify |
| Super 8: 2 groups of 4 teams (12 matches) | Super 10: 2 groups of 5 teams (20 matches) |
| Top 2 teams from each Super 8 group reached the semi-finals | Group winners qualify directly for the semi-finals |
| No playoff before the semi-finals | Teams finishing 2nd and 3rd play cross-group Eliminators for the remaining semi-final spots |
| Semi-finals (2 matches) | Eliminators (2 matches) followed by Semi-finals (2 matches) |
| Final | Final |
