West Indies have been confirmed as one of the teams that will play in the ICC ODI World Cup 2027 Qualifier. The two-time world champions will miss out on automatic qualification for the tournament.
The Caribbean side are currently 10th in the ICC ODI rankings. They have only two ODIs against India left before the September 30, 2026 cut-off date. Even winning both matches would not be enough to take them into the top eight.
South Africa and Zimbabwe have already qualified as the co-hosts of the ICC ODI World Cup 2027. The other eight highest-ranked teams at the cut-off date will also earn direct qualification.
Afghanistan recently secured their place after beating Ireland in a thrilling match in Belfast. They joined Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and Bangladesh among the teams confirmed for direct qualification.
West Indies face another tough qualification battle
West Indies have struggled in recent World Cup qualification campaigns. They missed direct qualification for the 2023 ODI World Cup.
They then finished fifth in the Super Six stage of the Qualifier. That result also meant they missed the 2025 Champions Trophy. West Indies had last played in that tournament in 2013.
Ireland will join West Indies in the 2027 Qualifier. They are the other lowest-ranked non-host Full Member at the September 30 cut-off.
The Qualifier is scheduled to take place from February 22 to March 23, 2027. The host venue is yet to be announced.
Ten teams will compete in the event. West Indies and Ireland will be joined by four teams from Cricket World Cup League 2 and four teams from the Qualifier Playoff.
The Qualifier winner will earn a place in the second round of the 2027 World Cup. Teams finishing second, third and fourth will get another chance through the Super Series first round.
West Indies must now win the Qualifier to keep their World Cup hopes alive. The former champions won the tournament in 1975 and 1979.
