The International Cricket Council (ICC) set up another shocking change, as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028 is set to run under a new format. We have already seen the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027's new format, and the ICC has also announced another revised format for the next men’s T20 World Cup.
Although 20 teams will participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028, which Australia and New Zealand will jointly host in October-November 2028, and a total of 55 matches will be played, the number of teams and tournament matches will be the same as the last editions but with a completely different format, along with the addition of an eliminator round for the knockout stages.
Previous format for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (last played in 2026)
Total Participating Teams: 20; Total Matches: 55
Group Stage (40 matches): 4 groups with 5 teams each
Top 2 teams from each group would qualify for the Super 8 stage.
Super 8 Stage (12 matches): 2 groups with 4 teams each
The top 2 teams from each group would advance to the semi-finals.
Knockout Stages (3 matches): Semi-finals (2 matches) and Final (1 match)
(Semi-finals)
Semi-final 1: 1st placed of Super 8 Group 1 vs 2nd placed of Super 8 Group 2
Semi-final 2: 1st placed of Super 8 Group 2 vs 2nd placed of Super 8 Group 1
(Final)
Semi-final 1st winner vs. semi-final 2nd winner
New format for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028
Total Participating Teams: 20; Total Matches: 55
Group Stage (30 matches): 5 groups with 4 teams each
Top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the Super 10 stage.
Super 10 Stage (20 matches): 2 groups with 5 teams each
Top 3 teams from each group will qualify for the next stages.
Knockout Stages (5 matches): Eliminators (2 matches); Semi-finals (2 matches); and Final (1 match)
(Eliminators)
Eliminator 1: 2nd placed of Super 10 Group 1 vs 3rd place of Super 10 Group 2
Eliminator 2: 2nd placed of Super 10 Group 2 vs 3rd place of Super 10 Group 1
(Semi-finals)
Semi-final 1: 1st placed of Super 10 Group 1 vs Eliminator 1 winner
Semi-final 2: 1st placed of Super 10 Group 2 vs Eliminator 2 winner
(Final)
Semi-final 1st winner vs. semi-final 2nd winner
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028: Qualified Teams
Apart from both the hosts, Australia and New Zealand, the top eight teams of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (India, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and the West Indies) and the next top three T20I-ranked teams (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Ireland) have already booked their places for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2028. Eight more teams will qualify for the tournament from the Global Qualifier.
