Scotland and Netherlands criticise ICC over 2027 World Cup format changes

Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) criticised the International Cricket Council for altering the format of the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup in a joint statement on Monday; the article was published August 11, 2026 12:03 am IST.

The ICC has introduced a new Super Series phase in the qualification pathway under which the teams ranked 12th, 13th and 14th will contest a tri-series, with only one advancing to the tournament’s second round where 12 teams will be split into two groups. The two Associate Member boards described the ICC’s lack of communication over the changes as "disappointing and disrespectful."

"These changes represent a setback to Associate Member cricket and risk undermining the progress made in recent years to grow the global game," they said in a joint statement on Monday.

"At a time when cricket is seeking to expand its reach, attract new audiences and strengthen its position on the international sporting landscape, reducing meaningful opportunities for emerging nations sends entirely the wrong message," the statement added.

Associate Members are nations that belong to the ICC but do not hold Full Member status, which is reserved for the game's leading countries. The two boards framed their response around the potential impact of the format change on emerging national teams.

The criticism emphasised the timing of the alteration, which the Associate Member boards noted came less than 18 months before the tournament. The joint statement framed the format adjustment and the communication process as harmful to recent development efforts for non-Full Member nations.

The 2027 Men's ODI World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.