It is, without much doubt of a doubt, the most talked about cricketing event in all of men’s white ball 50-over cricket. It is the tournament that comes once in a while in very four years, hence almost elevating the coveted factor about it all.
And most importantly, it’s that prized ICC event winning which one feels absolutely on top of the world. Irrespective of who you are and which cricket team you support, truth certainly is that winning the ICC men’s One day cricket World Cup simply amplifies the excitement of what is indescribable joy and matters ever so much in the great sport.
And at this point of time, all of the cricket world’s attention in the men’s game is focused on the predations of the next event in the four year cycle, which arrives 12-15 months down the line- the 2027 Men’s odi World Cup that is to take place in South Africa and Zimbabwe in Africa. And perhaps it’s necessary to take a look at the rankings of the present sides that are going to compete in what is now essentially a 14 team event given the recently introduced changes to the event’s participation (as brought out by the ICC).
Having said that, the following teams have already qualified for the revered event:
South Africa (Host). Zimbabwe (Host). India. New Zealand. Australia. Pakistan. Sri Lanka. England.
How South Africa and Zimbabwe have automatically qualified is down to the reason that they are the co hosts of the elite event. Meanwhile, it is expected that teams like Afghanistan and Bangladesh will make up for the 9th and 10th place sides.
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That leaves us with teams like The Netherlands, the West Indies, Nepal, Ireland and Scotland are yet to qualify. So that’ll likely mean that a separate pre World Cup event such as the ICC World Cup Qualifiers will take place that’ll decide which teams can make it further to the mega event.
That told, while the likely favourites or the strongest teams in the event will most certainly be the likes of England, Australia and India, it will hardly be a surprise if a team like South Africa does well and emerges as a strong contender to lift the coveted event.
Meanwhile, someone like a New Zealand can also emerge as the as-per-usual underdogs to go afar in the much-talked-about event.