The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have confirmed the qualification pathway for cricket’s return to the Olympic Games 2028, as six teams from different continents will take part in the Men’s and Women’s competitions. The two bodies have also confirmed the introduction of the first-ever ICC Olympics Qualifier.
Teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania are all guaranteed representation as cricket returns to the Games after 128 years. The ICC confirmed that the qualification for five places will be “decided through a combination of existing ICC events and ICC T20I rankings, according to the existing approved and published FTP structure.” Meanwhile, the sixth and final spots for both men’s and women’s events will be decided through the newly introduced ICC Olympics Qualifier, which will be held next year in 2027.
Men’s and Women’s qualification differs; India book ticket for women’s event
As per the release, the qualification for the men’s and women’s events differs. As for men’s cricket, the ICC Menโs T20I rankings will determine the qualification for four teams. Those four teams won’t just be the highest-ranked teams but will be the highest-ranked eligible National Olympic Committees from different continents as ofย 31 December 2026, progressing to LA28. The fifth-ranked team in both men’s and women’s cricket will be the host nation USA, as long as they stay in the top 15 at any time betweenย 30 June 2026 and 31 December 2026.ย For the men’s event, if the USA are not in the top 15 at any time during this period, “the fifth automatic qualification spot will be allocated to the next-highest-ranked nation from any continent that has not already qualified by 31 December 2026.”
In the women’s category, if the USA are not in the top 15, the fifth spot will go to theย highest-placed non-qualified nation in the ICC T20I rankings from any continent as of 1 March 2027.
More to follow…