Cricket is set to return to the Olympic stage after more than a century, with the sport confirmed for inclusion in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
However, the qualification process may end the India-Pakistan rivalry, as only one team each from Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa will earn direct entry to the Olympics.
Cricket will feature at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, only six nations per gender will take part in the global event, including the host nation United States of America. The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that the men’s and women’s T20 events will take place from July 12 to July 29, 2028.
Cricket Format Might Keep India or Pakistan Out of LA 2028 Olympics
According to a report in Forbes, the ICC is planning to finalize the qualification process for the 2028 Olympics. The USA, as host, will automatically qualify. One team each from Asia, Europe, Oceania, and Africa will earn direct entry based on their regional rankings at the time.
Major teams like India or Pakistan could miss out if they aren’t the top-ranked side in Asia. The sixth and final spot will be decided through a qualifying tournament.
While there were concerns about fitting the qualifiers into the calendar, the ICC is content with holding just one qualification event. As the West Indies is a multi-island cricket body and not a single nation, its member countries may have to compete separately to secure a place in the qualifier.
LA Mayor Karen Bass Welcomes Cricket’s Olympic Return
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed pride in the city’s preparations for the 2028 Olympics. Karen highlighted that the PlayLA program has surpassed one million enrollments.
“When the world comes here for these Games, we will highlight every neighbourhood as we host a Games for all and work to ensure it leaves a monumental legacy,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a recent statement.
“We are already delivering that legacy as we announce there have been more than one million enrollments in PlayLA. I want to thank LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for making these programs possible and for their continued work to host the greatest Games yet.”
ICC Grants USA Cricket a Three-Month Window to Resolve Governance Issues
According to the report, USA Cricket has narrowly avoided suspension from the ICC. Despite ongoing governance issues and a previous call from the ICC for the board to resign, resistance from board members delayed action.
However, the ICC has now granted a three-month window for the board to resolve its internal problems, especially with the sport set to take center stage at the 2028 Olympics. The situation has put USA Cricket under intense scrutiny, as the global spotlight prepares to turn on them.
Meanwhile, qualification for the women’s cricket event will be linked to results from the T20 World Cup. That said, questions still remain about how the USA women’s team will gain entry to the Olympics.