The 2027 Men's ODI World Cup is provisionally scheduled to take place between 4 October and 21 November. It will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, returning the 50-over World Cup to the African continent for the first time since 2003. The dates are understood to have been approved at a meeting of the ICC board in Ahmedabad in February; final sign-off is anticipated at the ICC Annual General Meeting in Edinburgh in July. The 54-match tournament will kick off the ICC's 2027-2031 Future Tours Programme (FTP), setting out the future schedule for international cricket. South Africa to Host Majority of Matches The majority of the 2027 World Cup matches will be staged in South Africa, with as many as 41 of the 54 games to be played across eight venues. Zimbabwe will stage between eight and 10 fixtures, while three matches will be held in Namibia. Zimbabwe will have three venues at their disposal, with Victoria Falls adding to Harare Sports Club and Bulawayo's Queens Sports Club. The Fale Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls is under construction and is anticipated to be the stage for domestic cricket before its official opening next year. It is also a significant addition for Zimbabwe in their build up to the World Cup. Also Read | Rahul Dravid's Son Anvay Earns India U19 Call-Up for Sri Lanka Tour 14-Team Format Returns The 2027 tournament will also see the return to a 14-team format, with the last two ODI World Cups featuring just 10 participants. The 14 teams will be split into two groups of seven. The top three in each group will advance to a Super Six format before knockout stages decide who reaches the final and ultimately, who is crowned champions. As hosts, both South Africa and Zimbabwe will qualify automatically, however, Namibia will have to play their way into the final 14. Also in light of discussions regarding the future structure of cricket, the ICC are also in talks concerning the next cycle of the World Test Championship. Among other potential plans, the number of teams involved could be expanded to include all Full Member nations. Though further details will be confirmed upon official approval, the future outline for the 2027 ODI World Cup is becoming clearer. Featuring an expanded group of participants, two hosting nations and returning to cricket's biggest arena in Africa, it already promises to be a monumental occasion.