Where will the ODI World Cup be played in 2027… Three countries will host together, 8 out of 14 teams will get a chance on the basis of ranking.

New Delhi. The biggest Mahakumbh of world cricket i.e. ICC ODI World Cup 2027 is not far away. Although next year is still visible on the calendar, preparations for this biggest event of cricket have started behind the scenes. People want to know from now on what the format of the World Cup will be like this time. How many teams will clash and what will be the winning formula? The next ODI World Cup is very special regarding its hosting. This time the tournament will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

A total of 14 teams will participate in this World Cup. But the path is not the same for everyone. Being hosts, South Africa and Zimbabwe will get direct entry. The top-8 teams in the ICC rankings till March 31, 2027 will get direct tickets for the tournament. A qualifying tournament will be played between 10 teams for the remaining 4 places. Interestingly, the third co-host Namibia will also have to confirm its place through the same path.

Old adventure, new style
ICC has changed the format for the 2027 World Cup. This time the teams will compete under the 'Super Six' format. In the group stage, 14 teams will be divided into two groups. The teams of each group will play one match each. Top-3 teams from both the groups will reach the next round i.e. Super Six. After the Super Six stage, the four teams that remain on top in the points table will face the semi-finals and then the title match will be played.

These 3 'game changer' rules will be applicable on the field
The ICC has made it clear that the same rules that we saw during 2023 will be in effect in the 2027 World Cup. Especially these three rules will decide the course of the match.

Controversy over, power of super over: The controversy that arose regarding the 'boundary count' rule in the 2019 World Cup final has been completely buried by the ICC. Now if the match is tied, the winner will be decided only by Super Over. Until the result is known, the super overs can continue.

Soft signal 'no': The tradition of umpires giving 'soft signals' has now ended. Now the on-field umpire will directly take the help of the third umpire. Only the technology (replay) available to the third umpire will decide the final decision. The decision of the on-field umpire will be considered only when the technology does not reach any clear result.

Boundary circle: Whether the stadium is small or big, according to ICC rules the boundary distance will not be kept less than 70 meters. This will maintain balance between the batsmen and bowlers and hitting sixes will not be that easy.

This clash of 14 teams on the bouncy pitches of the African continent is going to cross all limits of thrill. The return of Super Six to the format has made the tournament more competitive. Now it remains to be seen which teams secure their place by staying in the top-8 till the cut-off date of 31 March 2027 and which go through the ordeal of the qualifiers.