Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Two-time champions West Indies lose direct 2027 World Cup spot
The Cricket World Cup is a big tournament where national teams play one-day cricket.
The next Cricket World Cup will be played in 2027 in three countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
The top eight teams in the world rankings get an automatic place, and the rest must try to qualify later.
The West Indies team used to be one of the best in the world and won the trophy in 1975 and 1979.
But now they are ranked number 10, and only the top eight teams get an automatic place.
A team from Afghanistan won a match against Ireland in Belfast.
That win gave Afghanistan the last automatic spot.
That means the West Indies cannot go to the World Cup directly and must play a qualifying tournament next February.
Some smaller cricket teams, like Scotland and the Netherlands, are unhappy because they think the new rules make it harder for them.
Afghanistan's win over Ireland in the third ODI on August 10 secured the final automatic spot for the ODI World Cup 2027, pushing West Indies into the qualifiers.
Rashid Khan took 3/44 and scored an unbeaten 37 to earn Player of the Match as Afghanistan won by three wickets in Belfast.
West Indies, ranked 10th in the ODI rankings, must play qualifiers starting February next year — their third consecutive failure to directly qualify.
India, Australia, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand join hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia as direct qualifiers based on September 30 rankings.
Scotland and the Netherlands called the updated qualifier format, in which only the winner earns direct group-stage entry, a 'setback to associate member cricket.'
- Who
- The West Indies cricket team, two-time World Cup champions, failed to secure direct qualification as Afghanistan took the final automatic spot.
- What
- West Indies were pushed out of direct qualification for the ODI World Cup 2027 and must now play the qualifier, which begins in February next year.
- When
- Confirmed after Afghanistan's win over Ireland in the third ODI on August 10, ahead of the September 30 ranking cutoff.
- Where
- The deciding third ODI was played in Belfast, Ireland; the 2027 World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
- Why
- Ranked 10th, West Indies could not reach the top eight before the cutoff — even winning both remaining ODIs against India would not be enough.
Backers of the new qualifier format
Associate members (Scotland and Netherlands)
2027 World Cup qualifier format
Backers of the new qualifier format
The new format rewards the qualifier winner with direct entry into the group stage, while teams finishing second, third and fourth battle in a 'Super Series' round for a group-stage spot.
Associate members (Scotland and Netherlands)
Scotland and the Netherlands issued a joint statement on Monday calling the change a 'setback to associate member cricket.'
- Event
- ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2027
- Direct qualification cutoff
- September 30
- Deciding match
- Afghanistan beat Ireland by three wickets in the third ODI at Belfast on August 10
- Player of the Match
- Rashid Khan (3/44 with the ball; unbeaten 37 with the bat)
- Qualifier start
- February next year
- West Indies ODI ranking
- 10th
- Non-host direct qualifiers
- India, Australia, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand
- Co-hosts
- South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia
Sources
Afghanistan secure 2027 World Cup spot, West Indies to play qualifiers
ODI World Cup 2027: West Indies fail to qualify directly after Afghanistan beat Ireland
Afghanistan Seal 2027 World Cup Berth, West Indies To Go Through Qualifiers
