Irrespective of sports, boards are looking to expand World Cup teams. Just like we saw at the recent FIFA World Cup 2026, where as many as 48 teams were involved, cricket is likely to join the bandwagon as well. 

If the reports are to be believed, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to expand the T20 World Cup. It could happen as early as 2032, with the board likely to add four more teams in the competition, from the current number of 20. Till 2022, the number was capped at 16 teams. From the T20 World Cup 2024, we have seen 20 teams compete in the marquee competition. The trend is set to continue till the T20 World Cup 2030 as well but the ICC is planning to expand it afterwards. 

ICC plans big changes

The ICC is looking to expand the tournament to 24 teams. The plan is for it to come in from 2032, though it might even start in 2030. In the long term, the ICC is aiming for 32 teams to widen the game’s reach.The 2028 T20 World Cup will be in Australia and New Zealand. The 2030 edition will be jointly hosted by England, Ireland and Scotland. The ICC hasn’t named hosts for 2032 yet, which is when the proposed expansion could be rolled out. 

Meanwhile, the ICC has already planned a format revamp from the next edition. Instead of Super Eights, we will have Super 10s after 20 teams will be divided in five groups of four. The top two sides will qualify for the Super 10s before the table toppers get direct qualification to the semi-finals. However, the second and third-finished teams in Super 10s will battle out in a newly added Eliminator. Then, the winners of those two games will qualify for the two remaining semi-final spots. 

Old vs New T20 World Cup Format