ODI World Cup 2027 Schedule OUT: India to Open Campaign Against Australia, Then Face Pakistan on October 10
India will launch their campaign at the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup against defending champions Australia in Cape Town on October 7. The revamped 14-team tournament could hold particular significance for Shubman Gill's side and may also become the final global 50-over event for veteran stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
The marquee ODI tournament will return to Africa after 24 years and will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 2 to November 21.
The 2027 World Cup will feature a new three-stage competition structure comprising a Super Series, a 12-team Group Stage and a Super 7 phase, followed by the semi-finals and final.
The Super Series will get underway in Windhoek on October 2 and will involve the three lowest-ranked teams from the World Cup Qualifier. The winner of that stage will secure the final spot in the Group Stage.
India in Group A With Australia and Pakistan
The other 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six. India have been placed in Group A along with Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and one qualifier.
Group B consists of South Africa, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the second qualifier.
India's opening fixture against Australia will recreate the 2023 World Cup final, when the Rohit Sharma-led Indian team suffered defeat in Ahmedabad.
After their opening match, India will take on Pakistan in Johannesburg on October 10, followed by Afghanistan in Tshwane on October 14. Their next game will be against the Group A qualifier in Bloemfontein on October 17.
India will complete the Group Stage against Zimbabwe on October 24 at the new Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls.
South Africa will start their campaign against New Zealand in Cape Town on October 9. Co-hosts Zimbabwe will face Afghanistan in Bulawayo on October 11.
New Super 7 Phase Introduced
Under the new format, the top three teams from each Group Stage group will move into the Super 7 phase. They will be joined by the better-performing fourth-placed team.
The seven teams will begin the Super 7 stage without carrying forward any points from the Group Stage. Each team will play six matches between October 25 and November 14.
India, Australia, Pakistan, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka have been pre-seeded into specific Super 7 positions. This has been done to provide greater certainty around the fixtures for teams and supporters.
If a non-seeded team qualifies for the Super 7 phase while a pre-seeded team fails to advance, the qualifying team will take over that team's designated position.
The top four sides at the end of the Super 7 phase will progress to the semi-finals. The team finishing first will play the fourth-placed side, while the second-placed team will meet the third-placed team.
Semi-Finals and Final
The first semi-final is scheduled to take place in Cape Town on November 17, while the second semi-final will be held in Tshwane on November 18. Both semi-finals will have reserve days.
The World Cup final is scheduled for November 21 in Johannesburg, with November 22 kept as the reserve day.
Matches will be played across venues in all three host countries. Windhoek will stage the Super Series as well as Group Stage fixtures, while South Africa and Zimbabwe will host most of the Group Stage and Super 7 matches.
The tournament will be the first men's World Cup to be held in Africa since South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya jointly hosted the 2003 edition.
Kohli and Rohit Could Feature in Their Final ODI World Cup
For India, the 2027 tournament will come four years after their loss to Australia in the 2023 final. It could also be an important milestone for Kohli and Rohit, who may be appearing in their final 50-over World Cup.
India will additionally have to adapt to the significantly different competition format, with teams required to progress through the initial group stage before entering a fresh seven-team league phase ahead of the knockout matches.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah described the schedule announcement as an important step towards the tournament.
“The announcement of the schedule and opening of the ticket ballot are major milestones on the road to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, bringing fans one step closer to a spectacular celebration of cricket across the three nations,” Shah said.
“South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will provide an unforgettable stage for the world’s best teams, combining a deep passion for cricket, extraordinary destinations and a renowned warmth of welcome,” he added.
