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The World Cricketers' Association (WCA) raises concerns over the refreshed format of the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup recently sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC). WCA fears that the new format for the ODI World Cup could put the growth of the game across the world on hold.
ICC introduced a newly shaped format for the ODI World Cup, which will take place in 2027, after its annual meeting in Scotland. WCA, in its official press release on July 17, mentions that the new format, which allows 14 teams in the tournament, but the additional qualification round for the three lower-ranked teams in the tournament has raised concerns.
WCA raises doubts over the ICC-sanctioned ODI World Cup format
According to the revised format, a total of 14 teams are included in the tournament, with an initial round-robin format competition between the 12th, 13th, and 14th-ranked teams. WCA’s issue is mainly with that initial round of the tournament.
WCA, in their official release, mentions that the revised format has raised doubts about transparency, consultation, and the game’s long-term commitment to global growth.
Previously, lower-ranked teams had to prove their quality and strengths through qualification matches before qualifying for the ODI World Cup, where they got the opportunity to face the top-ranked cricket-playing nations.
WCA alleged the ICC did not conduct significant communication with the associate members
With the latest added extra qualification round within the tournament, chances to face the top teams have decreased significantly for the lower-ranked teams, as per WCA's thoughts.
The Association alleged that ICC set the revised format without conducting any meaningful conversation with the game’s key stakeholders, including players collectively.
In support of WCA, captains of multiple cricket-playing nations have also raised their voices.
It’s incredibly disappointing: Scott Edwards, the Netherlands’ Men’s national cricket team captain
Netherlands’ Men’s national cricket team captain Scott Edwards is among the voices who are against the format. He mentions that qualifying for the ODI World Cup itself is a huge achievement as it involves years of planning. Because of the fundamental changes in the format, it will become harder for the associate members to become a part of the flagship tournament.
“Qualifying for an ODI World Cup is a huge achievement for any country, so when the reality of that opportunity changes after years of planning, it’s incredibly disappointing. The ICC talks a lot about growing the game globally, but decisions like this make it harder for associate nations to play against the best teams in the world,” Edwards says in support of WCA.
“Those opportunities are what help countries improve and inspire the next generation of players. If we’re serious about making cricket a global sport, we should be creating more opportunities on the global stage, not less,” he added.
Paul Stirling, Ireland men’s national cricket team captain, claims that, like the football World Cup, where multiple lower-ranked nations take part, in cricket, associate countries always add value in the 50-overs World Cup.
“The smaller and associate countries have consistently proven to add value and interest at global events. The football World Cup we’ve just witnessed is testament to that in other sports, and it would be great to see cricket take a similar approach to maximise opportunities for the game,” Paul Stirling says, addressing the issue related to the revised format of the ICC ODI World Cup.
Gerhard Erasmus (Namibian Men’s Captain), Richie Berrington (Scotland Men’s Captain), Harmeet Singh (US player), and Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand player) are other notable figures who stand in support of WCA.
