Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will be staged across three nations—South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, East London, and Paarl have been listed as South Africa’s host cities. A total of 44 matches will be held on South African soil, while Namibia and Zimbabwe will share the remaining fixtures. The event will mark the 14th edition of the tournament and is scheduled for October and November 2027. This will be South Africa and Zimbabwe’s first World Cup hosting duty since 2003, while Namibia will debut as a World Cup venue. The announcement followed the constitution of the Local Organizing Committee Board (LOCB) under former cabinet minister Trevor Manuel. CSA stated in its release, “CSA offers its full support to the appointed LOCB and is confident in their ability to successfully deliver on the mandate set, ensuring a seamless and impactful event.” Pearl Maphoshe, CSA Board Chair, emphasized inclusivity: “CSA’s vision is to stage a global, inspiring event which will reflect the face of South Africa—diverse, inclusive, and united.” Read also: RCB Director Reveals Why They Didn’t Retain Mohammed Siraj Tournament Structure and Qualification The group format mirrors the 2003 edition. Fourteen teams will be split into two groups of seven, with the top three advancing to the Super Six stage. Both South Africa and Zimbabwe have secured automatic qualification as hosts. The top eight ICC-ranked teams will join them, while others will qualify through standard ICC pathways. Namibia, not being a full ICC member, must clear the qualification rounds. Australia, under Pat Cummins, remain the reigning champions, having defeated India in the 2023 final in Ahmedabad. The 2027 edition promises scale and logistical complexity, but for now, planning remains on track as CSA begins infrastructure preparation across eight venues.