Ahead of the first CWC League 2 tri-series, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the details of the qualification pathway for the 2027 ODI World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Here’s what you need to know:
1. ODI World Cup Hosts and Participants:
- South Africa and Zimbabwe qualify automatically as Full Member hosts.
- 34 other teams will participate in qualifying for the 14-team tournament.
2. Direct Qualification:
- The top eight Full Members on the One Day Internationa ranking table will secure direct qualification.
- Zimbabwe and South Africa also qualify directly.
- The two lowest-ranked Full Members and the top Associates will join the CWC Qualifier.
3. Qualification Expansion:
- The World Cup expands from 10 to 14 teams, offering four berths at the Qualifier.
4. CWC Challenge Playoff:
- Four new teams will compete in the inaugural CWC Challenge Playoff.
- Winners earn a place in the CWC Challenge League.
5. Challenge League:
- Two parallel six-team competitions will run.
- Top two teams from each group advance to the 2026 CWC Qualifier Playoff.
6. Qualifier Playoff:
- Expands from six to eight teams, with top Challenge League sides facing bottom CWC League 2 teams.
- Relegation to Challenge League possible for bottom finishers.
7. CWC League 2:
- Format remains similar but expands to eight teams.
- Top four finishers progress directly to World Cup Qualifier.
8. League 2 Trilateral Series:
- Series feature six-match trilateral contests, played home, away, and on neutral turf.
- Namibia, despite co-hosting, must qualify through League 2.
9. Kickoff:
- The first League 2 series starts in Kathmandu, with Nepal facing Namibia and the Netherlands.
The changes in the qualification pathway promise an exciting journey towards the 2027 One Day Internationa World Cup, with more teams vying for a chance to compete on the global stage. Stay tuned for more updates and action-packed cricketing events as teams battle it out for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
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