Pakistan-India could play an extra match under revamped ICC World Cup format

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday approved a revamped format for the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup, increasing the possibility of an additional match between arch-rivals Pakistan and India during the tournament.

The 2027 World Cup, to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will remain a 14-team event. However, the three lowest-ranked qualifiers will compete in a preliminary round, with only one team advancing to the 12-team main stage.

The main tournament will feature two groups of six teams, followed by a new Super Seven stage, replacing the previous Super Six format. The top teams will then progress directly to the semi-finals, with the quarter-final stage removed.

The revised structure means teams could play more matches in the round-robin phase, increasing the likelihood of Pakistan and India meeting more than once if both progress.

Pakistan and India only face each other in ICC and Asian Cricket Council events because of longstanding political tensions that have prevented bilateral cricket between the two countries. Their last bilateral series in Pakistan was held in 2006.

The ICC said the revised format "creates greater context, competitiveness and consequence during the event."

The ICC also confirmed that the 2028 Men's T20 World Cup will remain a 20-team tournament. Ten teams will advance from the group stage to a new Super 10 round, with the top two sides qualifying directly for the semi-finals and the remaining semi-finalists to be decided through a new eliminator stage.