The full schedule for the 2027 International Cricket World Cup was released on October 1st. This tournament, co-organized by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, will feature 14 teams and take place from October 2nd to November 21st, 2027. A total of 57 matches are planned across 12 stadiums in these three countries.
The ICC (International Cricket Council) presented the schedule during a special presentation in Cape Town. The tournament will kick off on October 2nd with a three-team super series in Namibia, followed by the main group stage starting on October 7th.
The Indian team will begin its journey with a match against the reigning champion Australia. Both teams will meet on October 7th at the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. This match will recall the 2023 World Cup final, which Australia won by defeating India. Next, India's next group match is scheduled for October 10th against Pakistan at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, and it is expected to be one of the most intense encounters of the tournament.
India will also play on October 14th against Afghanistan at Centurion and on October 17th against Qualifier A in Bloemfontein. India's last group match will be on October 24th against Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls.
Here is the detailed plan for India's group matches:
- October 7th — India vs Australia, Cape Town
- October 10th — India vs Pakistan, Johannesburg
- October 14th — India vs Afghanistan, Centurion
- October 17th — India vs Qualifier A, Bloemfontein
- October 24th — Zimbabwe vs India, Victoria Falls
Before the main tournament begins on October 2nd, a three-team super series will take place in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. It will feature the teams that finished second, third, and fourth in the World Cup qualifiers. These three teams will play each other in a round-robin format, and the team finishing first in the table will secure a spot in the main group stage.
Group A includes India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Qualifier A. Meanwhile, Group B is composed of South Africa, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Qualifier B. Bangladesh may face difficulties in Group B, as the other teams appear very strong.
There will be a total of 30 matches in the group stage, with each team playing one match against every other team in its group. Three teams from each group will advance to the Super 7. Additionally, the team finishing fourth in both groups but having the better ranking will also qualify for the next stage.
In the Super 7, seven teams will play each other once, totaling 21 games. Following this, the top four teams in the table will advance to the semi-finals. If any team without a seeding qualifies higher than a seeded team, it will take the corresponding seeded position.
There is a possibility that India and Pakistan could meet more than just in the group stage. If both teams advance to the Super 7, they will have a chance to play a second match in the tournament. The ICC has provided a preliminary seeding for the Super 7: India received spot A1, and Pakistan received A3. According to this scheme, they might play each other on November 7th in Cape Town, provided both teams reach the Super 7 and their positions remain consistent with the preliminary seeding.
It is also possible that India and Australia could meet twice. After the October 7th match, a second potential meeting between these two teams could take place on October 28th in Victoria Falls. Australia received preliminary seeding A2. Thus, provided both teams make it to the Super 7, there remains a possibility of another confrontation in the next stage of the tournament.
The preliminary seeding for the Super 7 is as follows: A1: India, A2: Australia, A3: Pakistan, AB4: England; B1: New Zealand, B2: South Africa, B3: Sri Lanka.
Reserve days are provided for the semi-finals and the final. The first semi-final will be held on November 17th in Cape Town, and the second on November 18th in Centurion. In the Super 7, the team finishing first will play the team finishing fourth, and the second team will play the third-placed team. The ICC has set reserve days for both semi-finals in case a match is not completed on the scheduled day due to rain or other reasons.
The 2027 World Cup final is scheduled for November 21st in Johannesburg, and a reserve day has also been set for it. If the match is not completed within the scheduled time, November 22nd will be used as a reserve day. Therefore, India is scheduled for at least five group matches, but qualification for the Super 7 opens up opportunities for repeat matches against Australia and Pakistan.
