LA Olympics Cricket Qualifiers Set for Early 2028; WTC Final Dates Revealed
ICC reveals the global events calendar, detailing the LA Olympics cricket qualifiers for 2028 and the 2029 WTC final dates in England.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled its latest global events calendar, bringing clarity to the road to the Los Angeles Olympics and the pinnacle of Test cricket. In a schedule shared with member boards following meetings in Dubai, the ICC has confirmed that the LA Olympics cricket qualifiers for both men and women will now take place in January and February 2028.
This shift is significant, as the qualifiers were originally slated for 2027. They will now occur less than six months before the Los Angeles Games, marking the historic return of cricket to the Olympic stage for the first time since 1904.
WTC Final and Future World Cups
Beyond the Olympic fever, the ICC has locked in the dates for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The championship clash is scheduled to be held in England from June 8 to June 12, 2029.
The calendar also provides a glimpse into the T20 World Cup cycle:
- 2028 Women's T20 World Cup: To be hosted by Pakistan from September 7 to October 1.
- 2028 Men's T20 World Cup: To be hosted by Australia and New Zealand from October 12 to November 12.
- 2030 Men's T20 World Cup: Scheduled for July-August, with England, Ireland, and Scotland acting as hosts.
The Race for Olympic Qualification
The Olympic competitions will feature six teams each for the men's and women's events. The path to qualification varies by gender and ranking.
Women's Qualification: The Champions Trophy Twist
Four teams have already secured their spots as the highest-ranked eligible sides from their continents based on the recent T20 World Cup: India, Australia, South Africa, and Great Britain.
While the United States is eligible as the host, their direct entry is not guaranteed. Currently ranked 19th, the US women's team is at risk of missing the ranking criteria. In a revised move, the ICC has linked the potential vacant spot to the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy, which will be held in India in February 2027. If the US does not meet the ranking requirements by December 31, 2026, the spot will be reallocated based on the standings of the Champions Trophy (with a cut-off of March 1, 2027).
Men's Qualification: Ranking Pressure
For the men, direct qualification will be granted to the top-ranked eligible teams from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania, based on the ICC T20I rankings as of December 31, 2026.
The US men's team, currently sitting at 13th in the rankings, is currently on track to meet the requirement of remaining in the top 15 during the qualification window (June 30 to December 31, 2026).
What Happens Next?
For the teams that do not qualify automatically, the battle will move to the qualifiers. Each qualifying tournament will feature eight teams, consisting of the seven highest-ranked sides outside the automatic qualifiers and the winner of the Caribbean Regional Qualifier. The specific venues for these qualifiers are yet to be announced.
The ICC's comprehensive calendar, which spans until 2031, includes 12 men's, seven women's, and five Under-19 events, ensuring a packed schedule of international cricket leading up to the 2031 ODI World Cup.