The road to the Men’s ODI World Cup 2027 is well underway, commencing with the Cricket World Cup League 2 (CWC L2) triangular series in Kirtipur last week. The forthcoming event, scheduled for October-November, promises an expanded spectacle with 14 teams battling it out across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in 54 matches.
Automatic qualification beckons for two of the co-hosts, South Africa and Zimbabwe, along with eight top-ranked teams based on the ICC’s ODI rankings. The exact cut-off date for these rankings remains undisclosed. However, Namibia, the third co-host, faces a different journey, compelled to navigate through the qualification pathway.
Namibia is an integral part of the CWC L2, an eight-team competition spanning three years. The top four teams from this league advance to a World Cup qualifier, a ten-team event featuring the bottom-ranked Full Members, the top CWC L2 teams, and the leading teams from a World Cup Qualifier Playoff.
For those falling short in the CWC L2, a second chance awaits in a tournament with four Challenge League teams, titled the World Cup Qualifier Playoff. The top four from this eight-team playoff secure a spot in the World Cup qualifier. This intricate structure ensures teams in CWC L2 have dual opportunities, fostering the possibility of a Challenge League team earning a coveted place at the main event.
The CWC L2 features a competitive lineup including Netherlands, Scotland, UAE, USA, Nepal, Oman, Canada, and Namibia. Notable players to watch include Bas de Leede, Logan van Beek, and Max O’Dowd from the Netherlands, Scotland’s Brandon McMullen, Namibia’s captain Gerhard Erasmus, and Nepal’s Kushal Bhurtel.
With a grand total of 36 teams initially vying for a spot, the competition will intensify as it narrows down to 32, making the quest for the 2027 World Cup truly captivating and fiercely competitive.