Pakistan, India drawn in same group for ICC ODI World Cup 2027
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the groups for the 2027 One-Day International (ODI) World Cup, placing arch-rivals Pakistan and India in the same group.
The two sides are in Group A, which means they could meet three times in the tournament.
The main round will feature two groups of six teams.
Group A comprises defending champions Australia, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, co-hosts Zimbabwe and one qualifier.
Group B has co-hosts South Africa, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the second qualifier.
Pakistan and India could face each other in the group stage, again in the “Super Seven” round, and a third time in a semi-final or the final.
Opening match
The main round begins on October 7 in Cape Town, where India will take on Australia.
South Africa last hosted the World Cup in 2003, when the same two teams contested the final.
New format
A total of 14 teams will take part. Under the new format, three teams will first play a “Super Series,” with one advancing to a 12-team group stage.
The 12 teams will then be split into two groups of six. Seven of the best teams from both groups will advance to the Super Seven stage.
The top four teams from the Super Seven will qualify for the semi-finals, and the winners will meet in the final.
A team winning the title will play 13 matches: five group games, six Super Seven games, the semi-final and the final.
Qualification
South Africa and Zimbabwe have already qualified as hosts. Eight more teams will qualify based on their ICC ODI rankings.
The remaining four places will be decided in qualifying events in February and March 2027. They will appear in the schedule as Qualifier 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Two-time champions West Indies, Ireland, the Netherlands, Scotland and the USA are already confirmed for the qualifying stage.
Four more teams will join based on the results of ongoing qualifying events.
West Indies must win the qualifying tournament to secure a World Cup place. The event is expected to be played early next year.
In the current ODI rankings, India are first, followed by New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Australia, England, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
Tickets
According to Cricbuzz, the ICC will open a ballot for World Cup tickets from October 1. Tickets will not be sold at this stage. Fans can register in the ballot for a chance to buy them.
India are a major focus of the 2027 event. They won all their league matches in the 2023 World Cup and reached the final, where Australia beat them to win the title.