The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced plans to introduce a new competition from 2028 aimed at preserving one-day international (ODI) cricket. The governing body also intends to gradually expand the T20 World Cup to feature 32 teams.
A proposal to divide the World Test Championship (WTC) into two divisions has been rejected. The 2027–29 Test World Cup is expected to feature 12 teams, according to the ICC. In addition, the ICC is planning to introduce a Super League for ODI cricket, and T20 World Cups are set to grow in size over time.
The proposal to split the WTC into two divisions was dismissed at an ICC meeting in Dubai last week, led by a working group chaired by former New Zealand cricketer Roger Twose. The decision was influenced by the fact that full-member nations have already begun discussions over bilateral series that will form part of the 2027–29 Test World Cup cycle.
The initial idea had been to create one division featuring India, England, and Australia, with a second division comprising the remaining teams. Promotion and relegation between the divisions had also been proposed. However, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies opposed the plan, as did England. Richard Thompson, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), recently commented: “We do not support this system. The WTC should continue as it currently operates. If we were relegated to a second division, we would lose the opportunity to play against Australia or India. That cannot happen.”
As a result, the WTC will continue under the current format, featuring 12 teams, including Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe. This ensures that all full-member nations have equal opportunities to play a set number of Test matches.
Separately, the ICC has confirmed that a new ODI Super League will be launched to preserve the format, which had previously been shelved after the 2023 World Cup. The competition is scheduled to begin in 2028, although the number of participating teams will be confirmed after the 2027 World Cup. The 2028 T20 World Cup may feature 24 teams.