ICC Proposes Ambitious Plan to Expand T20 World Cup to 32 Teams
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled plans to increase the number of teams participating in the T20 World Cup to 24 from 2030 and further expand the tournament to 32 teams by 2032. This expansion is expected to provide Associate nations, including Nepal, with a golden opportunity to participate regularly and compete on the global stage. Meanwhile, the ICC has decided to reduce the number of teams in the ODI World Cup from 14 to 12, a move that has drawn widespread criticism and dissatisfaction from players and stakeholders. Kathmandu, 28 July.
The ICC is preparing to further expand the men’s T20 World Cup. Following FIFA’s recent decision to expand the football World Cup to 48 teams, the ICC has proposed a gradual increase in the number of participating teams in the T20 World Cup. According to a report published by the British outlet The Telegraph, the ICC aims to host 24 teams at the 2030 T20 World Cup in England, Wales, and Ireland, with a long-term plan to extend the tournament to 32 teams by 2032.
The host for the 2032 World Cup has yet to be finalized. The competitive performances of Associate nations at the recent T20 World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka have reinforced the ICC’s case for expansion. In the latest edition, Zimbabwe advanced past the group stage after defeating Australia and Sri Lanka, while teams like Italy and Nepal offered strong challenges to established sides such as England. Traditionally, the tournament featured 20 teams divided into four groups, followed by a Super 8 stage. However, a new format will be introduced starting with the 2028 World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The revised format will consist of five groups of four teams each, with the top two from each group advancing to a Super 10 stage, followed by semifinals. Should the tournament expand to 24 teams, the likely format would involve six groups of four teams, with the top two from each group progressing to a Super 12 stage. This expansion is expected to benefit Associate nations, including Nepal, the most. Rapidly developing cricket nations such as Germany and Nigeria could make their World Cup debuts, while teams from Malaysia, Spain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jersey, Bahrain, Bermuda, and Saudi Arabia may also strengthen their bids to qualify. For teams like Nepal, Italy, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, the USA, and Canada, this expansion presents a significant opportunity to secure regular World Cup appearances.
However, the ICC’s expansion plans for the T20 World Cup coincide with a controversial decision regarding the ODI World Cup. The ICC has resolved to reduce the number of participating teams from 14 to 12 in upcoming ODI World Cups, a move that critics argue will further limit opportunities for Associate nations. Under the new ODI World Cup format, three lower-ranked teams will not receive direct qualification but must compete in a ‘play-in’ tournament, with only the winner advancing to the main event. Tom Moffat, CEO of the World Cricketers Association (WCA), described the ICC’s decision as contradictory to the goal of globalizing cricket, stating that discussing worldwide cricket development while simultaneously reducing opportunities in the World Cup is paradoxical. Scotland captain Richie Berrington expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of sufficient consultation with players on such significant decisions, while Netherlands captain Scott Edwards acknowledged that although qualifying for the World Cup itself is a major achievement, the decision to reduce spots diminishes its value. Although the ICC aims to globalize T20 cricket through expansion, the reduction of opportunities in the ODI World Cup continues to fuel debate within the cricket community.