The lineup for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI Cricket World Cup is taking definitive shape, with ten teams having officially secured their direct entry into the prestigious 14-team tournament. Afghanistan became the latest nation to book their automatic spot following a thrilling victory over Ireland, completing the list of direct qualifiers through the ICC ODI rankings.
The 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, grants automatic qualification to two of the host nations-South Africa and Zimbabwe. The remaining direct spots are awarded to the top eight sides in the ICC ODI rankings as of the September 30, 2026, cut-off date.
Which teams have Qualified for ODI World Cup 2027?
Afghanistan's series-clinching win against Ireland in Belfast pushed them safely
into the top eight of the rankings, proving once again that they have grown into a formidable force in international cricket.
They join a list of heavyweights who have already punched their tickets to the tournament. The teams that have qualified directly through the ICC ODI rankings are: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, Afghanistan
These eight nations will be joined by hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, bringing the total number of confirmed participants to ten.
Heartbreak for the West Indies Again
Afghanistan's success, however, means heartbreak for the West Indies. The two-time former world champions, currently sitting at 10th in the ODI rankings, will miss out on direct qualification for the third consecutive time in a 50-over World Cup cycle.
Despite having two ODIs remaining against India before the September 30 cut-off date, the Caribbean side mathematically cannot make up enough ground to break into the top eight. As a result, the West Indies will be forced to take the gruelling Qualifier route yet again.
Ireland, the other Test-playing full member outside the top eight, will join the West Indies in the World Cup Qualifiers.
With ten spots confirmed, the battle for the remaining four berths will be fiercely contested in a 10-team Qualifier tournament.
The Qualifiers will feature the West Indies, Ireland, and the top four teams from the 2024-2026 Cricket World Cup League 2. The final four spots in the qualifying event will be filled by the top teams from a separate Qualifier Play-off tournament, giving Associate nations a chance to qualify for next year's showpiece event.
