2027 ODI World Cup, Bangladesh Drawn in Tough Group, India and Pakistan in the same group
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2027 ODI World Cup, Bangladesh Drawn in Tough Group, India and Pakistan in the same group
2027 ODI World Cup, Bangladesh Drawn in Tough Group, India and Pakistan in the same group
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the full schedule for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 at a grand ceremony in Cape Town. Under the banner of “Three Nations, One Heartbeat,” South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will jointly host the World Cup, bringing fans across the region and around the globe together through a shared passion for cricket.
The 14-team tournament will feature 57 matches played across 12 venues in the three host countries, running from 2 October to 21 November 2027.
Cricket fans are in for high-octane action right from the opening weekend. The tournament will kick off on 7 October with a heavyweight blockbuster between defending champions Australia and 2023 runners-up India. The two cricketing powerhouses will clash in this highly anticipated opener at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.
World Cup fever will then sweep across the three host nations. On 8 October, Afghanistan will take on Pakistan in Centurion, while England face Bangladesh in Windhoek.
Co-hosts Zimbabwe will mark their return to the Men’s Cricket World Cup after a 12-year absence, launching their campaign against 'Qualifier-A' at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo on Saturday, 9 October. On the same day, South Africa will begin their World Cup journey against New Zealand at Newlands in Cape Town.
The main highlight of the opening weekend arrives on Sunday, 10 October, when traditional rivals India and Pakistan renew their iconic rivalry at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. In Windhoek, Sri Lanka will also start their campaign against 'Qualifier-B'.
Zimbabwe will hit a new milestone at the iconic Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium near Victoria Falls, where they will host India in Match 33.
The semi-finals will take place in Cape Town and Centurion on 17 and 18 November, respectively. The tournament will come to a spectacular close on 21 November with the grand final in Johannesburg's iconic City of Gold.
ICC Chairman Mr. Jay Shah said: “The announcement of the schedule and the opening of the ticket ballot are major milestones on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, bringing fans one step closer to an unforgettable celebration of cricket across the three host nations.”
He added: “The ICC remains committed to making its World Cup events accessible to as many fans as possible. Affordable ticket pricing options will bring families, young people, and local communities closer to the live action.”
“South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will provide an extraordinary stage for the world’s best teams, combining a deep passion for cricket, magnificent travel destinations, and a renowned warmth of welcome. We look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world and creating memories that will last long after the final.”
The World Cup matches will be staged across eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe, and one in Namibia. The host cities include Johannesburg, Tshwane (formerly Pretoria), Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Bloemfontein, Paarl, and KuGompo City (formerly East London) in South Africa; Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe; and Windhoek in Namibia.
The tournament will begin with a 'Super Series' hosted in Namibia, featuring the three lowest-ranked qualified teams out of the 14. The top team from this round-robin format will advance to the main group stage.
Following this, 12 teams (including a direct entrant from a preceding World Cup Qualifier tournament) will be divided into two groups:
Group A: India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Qualifier A.
Group B: New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, and Qualifier B.
The initial marquee fixtures among top-ranked teams will see last edition's finalists India (A1) and Australia (A2) face off in Cape Town on Thursday, 7 October, followed by New Zealand (B1) taking on South Africa (B2) in Tshwane on Friday, 8 October. India will then clash with Pakistan (A3) in Johannesburg on Sunday, 10 October.
A 'Super Sevens' stage will follow to determine the semi-finalists. Cape Town (17 November) and Tshwane (18 November) will host the two semi-finals, before the final takes place in Johannesburg on 21 November.
Trevor Manuel, Independent Chairperson of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 LOC Board, said: “South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia are fully prepared to welcome the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and supporters from around the world back to our continent. Southern Africa has a proud tradition of hosting world-class sporting events, and we approach 2027 with the same confidence, ambition, and determination to deliver a tournament worthy of the occasion.”
He further remarked: “While cricket will rightly take center stage, this World Cup is also a unique opportunity to showcase the people, culture, and extraordinary beauty of Southern Africa on the global stage. We hope supporters arrive in their multitudes for the cricket and leave with lasting memories of the region's warmth, energy, and diversity.”
