The tournament begins on 2 October 2027 with the commencement of the three-team Super Series in Windhoek, which will decide the final Group Stage team. The 12 remaining teams at the tournament will be split into two groups of six.

Group A includes India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and the Qualifier A (to be determined). New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Qualifier B comprise Group B.

South Africa’s group games during the ICC World Cup. Photo: Facebook/ICC Cricket World Cup 

Group stage action begins on 7 October in Cape Town with a repeat of the 2023 Final as defending champions Australia take on India. Co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe begin their campaigns on 9 October and 11 October respectively. South Africa take on New Zealand in Cape Town, with Zimbabwe meeting Afghanistan in Bulawayo.

Of the 14 teams at the tournament, South Africa and Zimbabwe qualified directly as hosts, alongside the best eight teams on the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings at the 30 September 2026 cut-off.

The much-anticipated India-Pakistan match will be played on 10 October in Johannesburg, while the Namibia Cricket Ground’s final fixture at the tournament will feature England against Sri Lanka on 13 October. India take on Zimbabwe in the first Cricket World Cup match at the new ground at Victoria Falls, the last fixture of the group stage.

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Fixtures. Photo: Facebook/ICC Cricket World Cup

A total of 12 venues will play host to the tournament. The Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek plays host to the three Super Series matches and three group games, with three venues in Zimbabwe and eight in South Africa. The Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium in Victoria Falls joins Harare and Bulawayo, while in South Africa, matches will be held in Cape Town, Paarl, Johannesburg, Tshwane, Bloemfontein, Durban, KuGompo City and Gqeberha.

The semi-finals will take place on 17 November in Cape Town and 18 November at Centurion, and both semi-finals will have a reserve day. The final will be played on  21 November in Johannesburg, with a reserve day on 22 November if necessary.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg