West Indies, winners of the 1975 and 1979 World Cups, will have to qualify for the 2027 ODI World Cup the hard way. They sit 10th in the ODI rankings and cannot reach the automatic places before the September 30, 2026 cut-off, even by winning both remaining ODIs against India.
The eight highest-ranked teams on that date, excluding hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, go straight through. Afghanistan secured a place by beating Ireland in Belfast, joining Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and Bangladesh.
A familiar struggle
West Indies missed direct entry to the 2023 World Cup and then finished fifth in the Super Six stage of the Qualifier, which also ruled them out of the 2025 Champions Trophy. Ireland have been confirmed for the 2027 Qualifier as the other lowest-ranked non-host Full Member at the cut-off.
How the Qualifier works
The Qualifier runs from February 22 to March 23, 2027, with the venue yet to be announced. Ten teams take part: West Indies, Ireland, four from Cricket World Cup League 2, and four from a Qualifier Playoff. That playoff will include the four lowest-ranked League 2 teams and four sides from the Challenge League, and its format is not yet final.
The winner of the Qualifier goes directly into the second round of the World Cup. Teams finishing second to fourth move to a Super Series first round, whose top side also reaches the main event, co-hosted by South Africa and Zimbabwe.
