ICC Overhauls ODI World Cup 2027 Format for More Rivalry Clashes
The International Cricket Council has unveiled a new four-stage tournament structure that could see India and Pakistan face off multiple times.
The ICC has announced a major revamp for the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup, introducing a four-phase format designed to increase competitiveness and potentially create more high-profile encounters.
Under the new structure, the tournament will still feature 14 teams, but they will begin with a Super Series round where the three lowest-ranked sides compete for a single spot. The remaining 12 then split into two groups of six, with the top three from each group and the best fourth-placed team advancing to a Super Seven league stage. The top four from that round will proceed to the semifinals.
The revised format means that India and Pakistan, if both qualify, could meet in the group stage and again in the later stages, increasing the likelihood of multiple blockbuster matches.