Afghanistan have officially qualified for the 2027 Cricket World Cup after their 92-run win over Ireland in the second ODI on Friday. Rashid Khan picked up six wickets as Afghanistan defended a target
of 299. After this win, they are placed eighth in the ICC ODI rankings and cannot be pushed out of the automatic qualification places before the 30 September cut-off. That makes them the ninth team confirmed for the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The hosts, South Africa and Zimbabwe qualified automatically. While India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England made their qualification through the rankings. Afghanistan’s result against Ireland has ensured their place in the World Cup.
One automatic spot remains open with Bangladesh being ninth and West Indies being tenth in the rankings. The West Indies have two ODIs left against India in September. Even if they win both, it may not be enough. Bangladesh look more likely to take the final direct berth. Every other team will have to go through the Qualifier in February and March next year. Ten teams will play for the last four places. The winner goes straight into the main draw. The teams finishing second, third and fourth face an extra Super Series at the start of the World Cup itself, with only one advancing further. The 2027 World Cup returns to a 14-team format after the smaller fields of 2019 and 2023. It will start with a Super Series, then move into two groups of six, a Super 7 stage, and the knockouts.
🚨 AFGHANISTAN HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THE 2027 WORLD CUP. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/v5QKIVEi0a
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 8, 2026
Rashid Khan six-for powers Afghanistan to dominant win over Ireland
After the opening match of the series was abandoned due to rain, Afghanistan were batting first in the second match at Bready. They took advantage of the short boundaries at the County Tyrone ground, with the top three batters looking set even if it was only Ibrahim Zadran who went on to score a fifty. His 84 helped Afghanistan post 299-8 ,but Ireland could only manage 207 as they lost the match by 92 runs.
Ireland started well in the chase, but lost their way in the middle overs. Cade Carmichael was Ireland's top scorer with 62, but Rashid was the star for Afghanistan picking up six wickets. The tourists have won seven ODIs against Ireland in succession, a run that stretches back to 2019. For Afghanistan this is another step in a long climb. They have gone from associate side to regular World Cup participants and this win has ensured they have directly qualified for the 2027 World Cup.
