Scotland, Netherlands launch fierce attack on ICC over 2027 World Cup format

The two boards said they were “deeply disappointed” that significant changes had been introduced less than 18 months before the tournament, arguing that the move could undermine the progress made by Associate nations and limit meaningful opportunities for emerging teams. Scotland and the Netherlands'.

They argued that Associate Members were not given sufficient opportunity to understand, discuss or respond to the implications. The timing of these changes, with less than eighteen months until the tournament, has given affected Members limited opportunity to contribute to the process or adapt.

What Happened

The tournament will begin with a Super Series involving the three lowest-ranked qualified teams. The sides will play a round-robin competition, with only the winner advancing to the next stage.

• The ICC announced the revamped 2027 World Cup structure on July 15, with the tournament retaining its 14-team field but adopting a new three-stage format before the knockout phase.

• The winners will then meet in the final.

• The top four will qualify for the semi-finals, with the first-placed team facing fourth and second taking on third.

Key Details

The resulting seven teams will enter the Super 7, where they will play 21 round-robin matches.

• They will play 30 matches in total, with the top three teams from each group advancing, along with the next-best fourth-placed side across the two groups.

• That team will then join the other 11 sides in the second round, with the 12 teams divided into two groups of six.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by India Today as more details emerge