ICC Tweaks Formats for Men's White-Ball World Cups

Cricket's global governing body, the ICC, has revamped the competition structures for two of its flagship men's tournaments. For the 2027 edition of the ODI World Cup, a new preliminary round will be introduced ahead of the main group stage, altering the traditional pathway to the title.

In addition to the ODI changes, the format for the 2028 T20 World Cup has also been revised, with specific adjustments planned for the playoff stages. These changes aim to enhance the competitive landscape and potentially provide more opportunities for a wider range of teams.

The ODI World Cup, traditionally held every four years, will see these format adjustments for its 2027 staging. Meanwhile, the T20 World Cup, which typically takes place bi-annually, will implement its new playoff system for the 2028 tournament. India are the reigning champions of the T20 World Cup, having secured victory on home soil in March.