Brief

ICC sets 2027 Cricket World Cup schedule with India and Australia opening in Cape Town

The tournament runs from 2 Oct to 21 Nov 2027 across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, featuring 14 teams.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 03 Oct 2026 13:50:49 GMT

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the full schedule for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, confirming that the competition will be staged in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from 2 October to 21 November 2027.

What happened

The opening ceremony will be held in Windhoek, Namibia, where a three‑team Super Series on 2, 4 and 6 October will decide the final Group‑Stage qualifier. The main group phase starts on 7 October in Cape Town, South Africa, and runs until the knockout stages conclude on 21 November.

What the reports add

Bizcommunity notes that the Super Series winner joins the 12 pre‑qualified teams in the Group Stage, which will be split into two groups of six. Group A comprises India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Qualifier A, while Group B contains New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Qualifier B.

The opening Group‑Stage match pits defending champions Australia against India in Cape Town, mirroring the 2023 final. South Africa’s first game is against New Zealand on 9 October, and Zimbabwe opens against Qualifier B in Bulawayo the same day. A marquee India‑Pakistan clash is slated for 10 October in Johannesburg.

What was said

Bizcommunity reports the ICC highlighted the tournament’s economic impact, saying the spread of fixtures across three countries will boost tourism, hospitality and transport sectors.

How it came about

The schedule follows the ICC’s qualification process, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia qualifying automatically as hosts, eight top‑ranked teams earning direct entry as of the 30 September 2026 rankings, and the remaining four spots decided through the Cricket World Cup Qualifier. Earlier Felo coverage noted India’s star players, including Virat Kohli, preparing for what may be his final World Cup appearance.

Key facts

The 2027 Cricket World Cup runs from 2 Oct to 21 Nov 2027. (bizcommunity.com)
Opening Group‑Stage match: Australia vs India in Cape Town on 7 Oct. (bizcommunity.com)
A three‑team Super Series in Namibia on 2, 4 and 6 Oct decides the final Group‑Stage spot. (bizcommunity.com)
Fourteen teams will compete, with hosts South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia qualifying automatically. (bizcommunity.com)
Group A includes India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Qualifier A; Group B includes New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Qualifier B. (bizcommunity.com)