As cricket prepares to return to the Olympics after more than a century, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to take a major step towards finalizing how teams will qualify for the sport’s long-awaited reentry at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
According to reports in foreign media, the ICC will conduct several meetings scheduled in Singapore from July 17 to 20 to deliberate a crucial question: should Olympic spots be awarded based on ICC T20I rankings, or will a performance-based qualification system be adopted to ensure broader access?
With only six men’s and six women’s teams set to participate at LA 2028, the stakes could not be higher.
While there were reports that ICC rankings will determine who makes the cut, the momentum is shifting toward a qualifier-based model. Several Associate Member nations, including the USA, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, have voiced their support for a merit-driven path that prioritizes actual on-field results rather than historical rankings.
A qualifier model, many argue, would open the door for emerging teams like the USA—who shocked the cricketing world with their performances at the 2024 T20 World Cup on home soil—and give other Associate nations a realistic shot at making the cut.
The United States, as Olympic host, is widely expected to be granted at least one automatic berth. However, it remains unclear whether this will extend to both its men’s and women’s teams or just one.
Despite a congested international calendar cited by critics of qualifiers, a hybrid model is reportedly under serious consideration by the ICC. This could see the top-ranked teams secure direct entry while others battle it out through regional or global qualifying events.
Though no final verdict is expected this week in Singapore, the meetings are likely to establish the direction the ICC will take. A clearer roadmap is anticipated by the end of 2025, giving national boards, especially those outside the Full Member circle, time to prepare for what could be a life-changing opportunity.
Inclusion at LA 2028 represents more than just medals for cricketing boards; it’s a shot at global exposure, increased investment, and a permanent seat at sport’s biggest table. For the ICC, how teams get there may prove just as important as what happens when they arrive.