ICC Moves Toward 12-Team World Test Championship and LA 2028 Qualifying Plan

Overview

• Reports published Thursday say the ICC will reconvene in person later in April to clear pending decisions after March’s Doha meetings were canceled because of the Iran–Israel war.
• The board is expected to consider expanding the men’s World Test Championship, the ICC’s league that leads to a Test final, to 12 teams from July 2027 by adding Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Ireland in a single division.
• Outlets cite broad backing for the expansion and a reported nod from the Chief Executives’ Committee, though some powerful boards want more detail before a final approval.
• The Olympic plan under discussion would send six teams per gender to Los Angeles 2028, with the United States in as host, four regional qualifiers from Asia, Europe, Africa and Oceania, and one place decided by a 2027 global qualifier.
• Proposals tied to the next Future Tours Programme include a minimum Test quota and targeted one-off Tests to boost home fixtures for emerging teams such as Zimbabwe.