The International Cricket Council’s decision to overhaul the format for next year’s 50-over World Cup has sparked fierce backlash from leading Associate nations. Captains of Namibia, Netherlands, and Scotland have publicly denounced the changes, which will see two teams eliminated after playing just two preliminary matches each.
The 2025 World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, will technically feature 14 teams—an increase from the 10-team fields of 2019 and 2023. However, the introduction of a three-team round-robin “Super Series” involving the lowest-ranked qualifiers means two nations will be knocked out almost immediately, rendering their qualification campaigns largely symbolic.
The move has infuriated players from established Associate sides, who are most likely to be affected. It has also cast doubt on the relevance of the ongoing Cricket World Cup League 2, where eight Associate teams contest 36 matches each solely to reach the global qualifier.
“Qualifying for an ODI World Cup is a huge achievement for any country, so when the reality of that opportunity changes after years of planning, it’s incredibly disappointing,” Netherlands captain Scott Edwards said in a statement released by the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), the sport’s global players’ union.
The Netherlands qualified for the 2023 World Cup ahead of Test nations Ireland, Zimbabwe, and West Indies, securing upset victories over South Africa and Bangladesh. Despite that success, they have not played an ODI against Full Member opposition since.
“The ICC talks a lot about growing the game globally but decisions like this make it harder for Associate nations to play against the best teams in the world,” Edwards added. “Those opportunities are what helps countries improve and inspires the next generation of players. If we’re serious about making cricket a global sport, we should be creating more opportunities on the global stage, not less.”
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus echoed those sentiments: “For players in many countries, an ODI World Cup isn’t just another tournament. It’s our long form and something careers are built around and generations of players aspire to. We all accept that you have to earn the right to be there, but we also want qualification to provide a real opportunity to compete on the biggest stage. This follows a long history of limited opportunity at Associate level.”
The WCA itself criticized the ICC’s decision-making process, citing a lack of transparency, communication, and consultation. Chief executive Tom Moffat said it was “difficult to reconcile” the governing body’s decision to fundamentally alter the tournament structure with its “stated ambition of growing cricket globally.”
When the ICC announced the expansion to a 14-team World Cup five years ago, the proposed format involved two groups of seven followed by a “Super Six” second stage. Teams have planned their cycles accordingly, only to learn 15 months before the tournament that the format would be significantly altered.
“The ICC is entitled to determine the structure of its global events,” Moffat said. “However, when commitments are made to the game, qualification pathways are established, and countries and players invest years pursuing those opportunities, significant changes deserve genuine consultation, transparency, and a clear explanation.”
Scotland captain Richie Berrington added: “Players don’t expect to make every decision, but we should be meaningfully consulted on decisions that have significant impacts on the game and on players’ careers. Better decisions are made when different perspectives are brought to the table, and we’re urging the game to start doing that properly.”
Other Associate players have joined the chorus of criticism. Scotland’s George Munsey told ESPNcricinfo the move was “absolutely no surprise that the ICC hasn’t looked after anyone outside the top three [Australia, England, and India].” Netherlands players Max O’Dowd and Logan van Beek have also voiced opposition on social media.
Paul Stirling, ODI captain of 12th-ranked Ireland, pointed to the success of the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup as evidence of the “value and interest” less established nations bring to global events. “It would be great to see cricket take a similar approach to maximise opportunities for the game,” he said.
In a press release on Wednesday, the ICC defended the “evolved” format, stating it would produce “a more compelling tournament” and “enhance the overall experience for fans while continuing to provide emerging teams with the opportunity to compete on cricket’s biggest stage.” The governing body has long argued that T20—not 50-over cricket—is the sport’s primary growth vehicle, hence the recent expansion to a 20-team men’s T20 World Cup.
