India to open 2027 Cricket World Cup against Australia in Cape Town
The ICC has announced the schedule for the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup, with India facing defending champions Australia in Cape Town on October 7 and Pakistan in Johannesburg three days later. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will host the 14-team tournament, which begins on October 2.
India will begin its 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup campaign against defending champion Australia in Cape Town on October 7, according to the schedule announced by the International Cricket Council. India will then face Pakistan in Johannesburg on October 10. The tournament will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia and will begin on October 2 with a three-team Super Series in Windhoek to determine the final Group Stage qualifier.
The 14-team competition includes 12 Group Stage teams divided into two groups of six. Group A comprises India, Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and one qualifying team. Group B consists of South Africa, England, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and a second qualifying team.
South Africa and Zimbabwe qualified as co-hosts, while eight other teams secured places through the ICC Men’s ODI Team Rankings as of the September 30, 2026 cut-off. Four remaining places will be decided through the World Cup Qualifier. The qualifier winner will advance directly to the Group Stage.
The other three teams will play the Super Series, with matches scheduled for October 2, 4 and 6. The top team will take the final Group Stage place. The top three sides from each group will progress to a Super 7 phase, along with the fourth-placed team with more points than the fourth-placed side in the other group.
The seven teams will start that phase without carrying over Group Stage points and will play six matches between October 25 and November 14. The semi-finals are scheduled for Cape Town on November 17 and Tshwane on November 18, with reserve days. The final will be played in Johannesburg on November 21, with November 22 reserved if required.
The ICC has also opened a ticket ballot.
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