For the first time in 128 years, Cricket is set to make its return to the Olympics in two years. Los Angeles is set to host the event, and as per the International Olympic Commission (IOC), six cricket teams will be part of the event. But there is a massive curveball in place; the event could lose out on the high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash.
It is not a decision that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has taken. This is the format in which the tournament is set to be played. As per the rules, there is one direct entry for the hosts, which in this case is the USA, but that too comes with a rider.
Other four spots go the top ranked team from Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. In this case, the Indian Cricket Team is the top-ranked team from Asia in the T20I format. If they manage to hold onto the spot till 31st December 2026, the Men in Blue will confirm their qualification for the 2028 event.
Pakistan currently is placed sixth in the points table which makes them the second based side from Asia as per the current ICC rankings. From Oceania, it is the Australian side which ranked ahead of New Zealand, while South Africans and England are the leading teams from Africa and Europe respectively.
USA more or less confirmed to be part of tournament
The United States of America are currently 13th in the latest ICC T20I rankings. Even if they manage to finish 15th during the current window slated to end on the last day of December in 2026 they can confirm their spot. In case, the team falls below 15th place, then their spot will go to the next best ranked team for the 2028 Olympics.
In the case of the Women’s team, they are 20th in the table, and they will have to be part of a qualification tournament to determine the final spot. In the Women’s event, Australia (Oceania), England (Europe), India (Asia), and South Africa (Africa) have more or less confirmed their tickets.
What are the ICC Olympic qualifiers?
Let us suppose in the Men’s event, India, AustraliaEngland, and South Africa have qualified along with USA, then there is one more team needed to complete the event. In this case, seven more teams, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, could play a qualification tournament.
The winner of this tournament will become the sixth and final team to make it to Los Angeles. If Pakistan does qualify for the event, in such a case, we could witness the IND vs PAK clash taking place.
What is the LA Olympics 2028 cricket format?
There will be two groups of three teams each that will play round-robin games. For example, if India is placed with England and the USA in the same group, then the Men in Blue will play both aforementioned sides once. This will be followed by two more matches against teams from the second group.
Sides finishing top two in the points table during the campaign will make it to the finals in a bid to win the gold medal. The bronze medal match will take place between sides ranked 3rd and 4th.
Current rankings of Men and Women
Men’s and Women’s Rankings as per qualification criteria are
India – ranked first in Asia
England – ranked first in Europe
Australia – ranked first in Oceania
South Africa – ranked first in Africa
Last day to secure direct qualification is 31st December 2026
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