Pakistan and New Zealand have expressed discontent with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) qualification system for cricket at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The ICC recently confirmed that Team GB will receive an automatic place in the men’s tournament at LA 2028, following the adoption of a regional qualifying format favoured by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The system is intended to ensure geographic diversity at the Games.
However, the decision has reportedly caused frustration in Pakistan and New Zealand, who are likely to be excluded from the six-team competition. India and Australia are expected to secure qualification from Asia and Oceania respectively, based on current ICC rankings.
The regional qualifying mechanism was finalised earlier this month during the ICC’s Annual General Meeting in Singapore. It proposes that the highest-ranked teams from Asia, Oceania, Europe and Africa will qualify automatically, along with the United States representing the Americas as hosts. The final place is yet to be determined.
At present, India, Australia, South Africa and Great Britain would qualify under this model. New Zealand, ranked fourth in the ICC T20 standings, sit just behind third-placed England but are set to miss out due to Australia’s higher position. Pakistan would also be affected by this arrangement.
The decision has not yet been ratified by the ICC Board, but sources present in Singapore suggest that it is unlikely to be overturned.
There are potential complications concerning the United States’ participation. The ICC recently called on the board of USA Cricket to resign amid governance concerns. Should the issues remain unresolved, a Caribbean nation may replace the USA in the Olympic line-up.
The women’s Olympic cricket qualification will be decided at the T20 World Cup next year. As hosts of the tournament, England stand a strong chance of securing a place through performance, with Team GB expected to qualify should Charlotte Edwards’ side reach the semi-finals.
Cricket will return to the Olympic schedule for the first time since 1900, when Great Britain defeated France in a one-off match to claim gold. The LA 2028 tournament will take place in Pomona, California, 30 miles east of Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, the ICC is expected to campaign for a larger format at the 2032 Brisbane Games. The bid for cricket’s continued Olympic presence may be bolstered should Ahmedabad win the right to host the 2036 Games. Other confirmed bidders include Doha, Istanbul and Santiago.
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board has commenced plans to establish a unified Great Britain team. Discussions are underway with Cricket Scotland to form a new governing body, GB Cricket, tasked with managing Olympic participation. A memorandum of understanding is also being prepared with Cricket Ireland, allowing Northern Irish players to represent Team GB.
GB Cricket is anticipated to be formally constituted in the coming months. It will then seek recognition from both the ICC and the British Olympic Association before applying for membership in the National Olympic Committee. The ICC declined to comment.
