ICC identifies Oct 1-Nov 21 window for 2027 World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has identified a window for the 2027 World Cup to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

According to sources tracking preparations for the global ODI championship, the identified window runs from October 1 to November 21, with the tournament proper tentatively likely to begin on October 8 (Friday). The final is scheduled for November 21 (Sunday).

The customary pre-tournament warm-up matches will be played from October 1 to October 7, before the World Cup proper gets underway. The venues for the opening game and the final - indeed, for any of the tournament's 54 matches - have yet to be finalised.

However, it is understood that Cricket South Africa will get to host the lion's share of the games - 40 of the 54 matches - with the remaining 14 to be shared between Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) and Cricket Namibia. A ZC official confirmed that, in addition to Harare and Bulawayo, a third venue city will be added. The picturesque town of Victoria Falls, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is expected to be one of the venues.

Unlike the last two editions of the 50-over World Cup, which featured 10 teams, the 2027 edition will have 14 sides divided into two groups of seven each for the league stage. The league phase will be followed by the Super Six stage, with the top three teams from each group progressing. The Super Six will, in turn, be followed by the knockouts.

More details may emerge after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the ICC in Edinburgh from July 8 to 11.