ICC to Host Olympics Cricket Qualifiers in Early 2028
The ICC announced the qualification schedule for cricket's return to the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Olympics
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The International Cricket Council has officially scheduled its Olympic qualification tournaments for January and February 2028. Eight nations will compete for the final slots to join automatic qualifiers in Los Angeles.
Why it matters
The scheduling shift moves the competition from 2027 to early 2028, impacting how teams prepare for the return of cricket to the Olympic stage. It also clarifies the path for the USA women's team, which must improve its standing after falling short of initial automatic qualification criteria.
The ICC has scheduled 12 men's, seven women's, and five Under-19 events between the 2027 and 2031 ODI World Cups. Additionally, the USA men's team holds a 13th T20I ranking, while the USA women's team currently sits at 19th.
The players
International Cricket Council
This is the global governing body for cricket responsible for organizing major international tournaments and setting the rules for the sport.
The details
The qualification process includes the seven highest-ranked non-automatic nations alongside the winner of the Caribbean Regional Qualifier. This update follows the ICC's October 2026 release of its global events list, which includes a total of 24 major cricket tournaments through 2031.
Timeline
December 31, 2026 marks the ranking cutoff for men's Olympics direct entry.
The Women's Champions Trophy is scheduled for February 2027 in India.
March 1, 2027 is the deadline for Women's Champions Trophy standings reallocation.
The Olympics cricket qualifiers will occur in January and February 2028.
The World Test Championship final will take place June 8-12, 2029 in England.
Season Trajectory
The 2028 Olympic qualifiers represent a major pivot in the current international cricket calendar as teams adjust for the sport's first appearance at the games. This qualification phase will effectively decide the competitive balance for the historic Olympic tournament.
The USA women's team must secure a top-ranked position by the March 2027 cutoff to alter its current path toward Olympic qualification. Fans should monitor the Women's Champions Trophy in February 2027, as standings there will determine the final qualification slot.
The takeaway
The addition of cricket to the 2028 Olympics marks a significant expansion for the sport on the global stage. Fans and analysts should watch the specific qualifying tournaments in early 2028 to see which nations earn the final spots for the Los Angeles Games.
Further reading
For more on the return of cricket to the global stage, visit the Olympics section.
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