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ODI World Cup Qualifier Winner Gains Direct Entry to Main Stage, No Need to Play Super Series

Written by space4knews on . Posted in Sports.

According to the new ODI World Cup format announced by the ICC, the winner of the qualifier tournament will secure direct entry into the main stage. The teams finishing second, third, and fourth in the qualifier will need to progress through the ‘Super Series’ phase to reach the main event. The 2027 World Cup will feature 11 teams in the main stage, including the top 8 ranked ODI sides, co-host South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the qualifier winner.

The new ODI World Cup structure, as reported by cricket news sources, confirms that the qualifier champion bypasses the initial round and advances directly to the World Cup’s main group phase. Meanwhile, the second, third, and fourth placed teams from the qualifiers must compete in the preliminary ‘Super Series’ round. Although the ICC has yet to announce the exact dates, venues, and final format for the qualifier tournament, it is expected to take place in early 2027.

Under this updated format, alongside the top 8 ODI ranked teams, co-host South Africa, and Zimbabwe will also earn automatic berths in the main stage. Adding the qualifier champion, the main competition will feature a total of 11 teams. The teams finishing second to fourth in the qualifier will compete in the ‘Super Series’ phase, involving two matches between pairs of teams. Only the winners from these matches will secure spots in the main group stage.

The main stage will consist of 12 teams divided into two groups. The top three teams from each group, along with the best fourth-placed team between the groups, will advance to the ‘Super 7’ stage. Subsequently, the top four teams from this phase will qualify for the semi-finals. The qualifier tournament will comprise 10 teams, including two full member nations (excluding the co-hosts) based on ODI rankings, the top four teams from League 2 cricket, plus four teams emerging from the World Cup qualifier playoff. The playoff will feature the bottom four teams from League 2 competing against four teams from the Challenge League, with the top four teams progressing to the qualifier tournament.