Los Angeles 2028: ICC and IOC confirm cricket qualification pathway

By Bilal Ahmed — 29 June 2026 — 3 min read

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have officially announced the qualification pathway for cricket’s return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028. This marks a significant moment for the sport, which was last featured in the Paris Olympics in 1900. The new system includes the introduction of the first-ever ICC Olympics Qualifier, designed to determine some of the final spots in the tournament.

A total of six teams will compete in both the men’s and women’s T20 events at LA28. Continents such as Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania are guaranteed at least one representative in both competitions, ensuring broad global participation. This structure aims to provide a clear and exciting route for member nations to reach the Olympic stage, as highlighted by ICC Chairman Jay Shah.

Five of the six available spots in each event will be decided based on results from existing ICC tournaments and the ICC T20I rankings. This approach aligns with the current Future Tours Programme (FTP), integrating Olympic qualification with established international cricket schedules. The remaining spot in both the men’s and women’s tournaments will be determined through the newly established ICC Olympics Qualifier, which is scheduled to take place in 2027.

Women’s team qualification confirmed

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has already played a crucial role in determining the first four teams for the women’s event at LA28. Australia, Great Britain (represented by England), India, and South Africa have successfully secured their qualification. These teams finished as the highest-ranked eligible teams from Oceania, Europe, Asia, and Africa, respectively.

Under the qualification rules, each continent is permitted to have only one direct qualifier through this specific route. The Indian women’s team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured their spot despite an early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. This achievement places them among the initial qualifiers for cricket’s much-anticipated return to the Olympics.

Beyond these four confirmed teams, the United States may secure the fifth spot as the host nation. The sixth and final spot for the women’s tournament will be decided following the inaugural ICC Olympics Qualifier in 2027. This ensures a competitive and inclusive pathway for teams globally.

Men’s team qualification pending

For the men’s teams, the qualification process is still ongoing, with specific teams yet to be confirmed. While continental representation has been guaranteed, with one team each from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, the individual nations have not yet been finalised for the men’s competition. The Shreyas Iyer-led men’s team, for instance, will need to wait until December for their qualification prospects to become clearer.

The LA28 Olympics will feature separate men’s and women’s T20 competitions, each involving six teams. Each participating team will be allowed to name a 15-player squad, contributing to a total of 90 athlete quota places for both tournaments. Across these two events, a total of 28 matches are scheduled to be played, promising an exciting showcase of cricket.

The format for the tournament will see the six participating teams divided into two groups of three. The winners of each group will then advance directly to the gold-medal match. Meanwhile, the teams that finish second in their respective groups will compete in a bronze-medal playoff. All cricket matches at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games are planned to be held at a specially constructed venue in Pomona.

ICC Chairman Jay Shah emphasised the significance of cricket’s inclusion, stating that it is a landmark moment for the sport and a powerful opportunity to showcase cricket to a global audience. He added that the confirmation of this qualification pathway is an important step towards Los Angeles 2028, providing members worldwide with a clear and exciting route to the Olympic stage. The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of multi-event sport, and cricket’s inclusion is expected to inspire players and fans across all regions, marking an historic moment for the sport’s growth and reach to new audiences.

Source: etnownews.com