The men’s Cricket World Cup is set for a major overhaul as it heads to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia next year. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed a complex 14-team format, although it will quickly reduce to 12 teams.

In a shift from the last two tournaments, where 10 teams participated in a round-robin format leading to four semi-finalists, the upcoming 2027 edition will kick off with a “Super series” featuring the three lowest-ranked teams from the 14 qualifiers. Only one of these teams will advance to the main tournament.

Following this, the competition will split into two groups of six, where the top three from each group, along with the next highest-placed team, will progress to a single “Super 7” phase. This phase will determine the four semi-finalists through an all-plays-all format. A total of 57 matches are scheduled, starting on October 4 and culminating with the final on November 21.

The ICC suggests these changes will enhance the tournament's “context, competitiveness, and consequence.” However, the potential for two high-stakes India vs. Pakistan matches, known for their lucrative broadcast revenues, likely plays a significant role in this decision.

Despite expanding the tournament to 14 teams, the quick elimination of two teams after just two matches has disappointed emerging nations. Initially, the plan involved two groups of seven, but concerns over potential dead rubbers led to a re-evaluation at the recent ICC annual conference.

In other news, Ben Stokes is poised to make his return to cricket with Durham in the One-Day Cup, facing Derbyshire next Tuesday. This marks his first 50-over match since the 2023 World Cup in India. While he has stepped back from international competition due to a waning appetite for the top level, Stokes aims to remain active in domestic cricket for at least the next 18 months and is expected to explore opportunities in the franchise T20 circuit next winter.