EXPLAINED: Why England May Not Directly Qualify For ODI World Cup 2027 After Champions Trophy 2025 Group Stage Exit
Photo : AP
England had a horrific run in the Champions Trophy 2025. They started off with a 5-wicket loss to Australia, who pulled off the highest-ever rin-chase in an ICC tournament. This was followed by an 8-run loss to Afghanistan. These two back-to-back losses made them the first team in Group B to be knocked out of the tournament. This comes on the back of England's horror run of form in ODIs, and if this continues, the 2019 ODI World Cup champions might not directly qualify for the ODI World Cup in 2027.
England have won just four of the 16 ODIs they have played since the 2023 World Cup. In that tournament too, they could notch up just three wins from 9 games in the league phase. This has been a sharp fall from grace for the team that won the 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup. They need to genuinely up their performances if they want to directly qualify for the ODI World Cup 2027.
How Can Teams Qualify For ODI World Cup 2027?
There are two ways in which teams can qualify for the ODI World Cup 2027, which is set to feature 14 international sides. South Africa and Zimbabwe have already qualified as the hosts. Apart from them, 8 more teams with the best ICC ranking, as on March 31, 2027, can qualify for the tournament. Apart from these 10 teams, four more teams will come through after playing the qualifiers.
Why England May Lose Out On Automatic Qualification?
England are currently ranked 7th in the ICC ODI rankings, with 85 points, which is just 2 points ahead of 8th placed Afghanistan. The tally is also just 5 ahead of 9th placed Bangladesh. If the Three Lions continue this form in the next two years as well, there is a chance that these two teams can climb above them. There are chances that current 9th placed side West Indies (78 points) can also overtake them.
Zimbabwe, who are ranked 11th in the world, and South Africa, ranked 5th have already qualified. If Zimbabwe continue being outside the top 10 at the end of March 2027, then the top 9 sides in the ICC ranking will qualify. Hence, if England somehow drop to 10th then they will have to play the qualifiers. If Zimbabwe enter the top 10, then the top 8 teams in the ICC rankings will qualify. Hence, if England are ranked no.9 or lower, then they will have to play the qualifiers.
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