The Men’s T20 World Cup is set to get even bigger starting in 2032, as the ICC is reportedly looking into expanding the tournament from 20 to 24 teams. This move is part of their long-term vision to spread the game of cricket around the globe. Sources say that the governing body believes the T20 format is the perfect way to engage new fans and provide more countries with the opportunity to shine on the world stage. If this expansion gets the green light, it would be another significant milestone in the swift growth of cricket’s top white-ball event, which has already seen impressive development over the last ten years.
According to The Telegraph, the ICC’s long-term vision goes beyond a 24-team event. The report said administrators eventually want a 32-team Men’s T20 World Cup, similar to the expansion seen in other major global sporting competitions. The governing body is expected to follow a phased approach, first introducing a 24-team tournament from 2032 before reviewing the possibility of another increase in the future.
ICC Eyes Bigger T20 World Cup From 2032 to Boost Global Growth
The proposed expansion aims to open up more opportunities for Associate nations and help cricket gain a stronger foothold in emerging markets. With more teams in the mix, we could see additional qualification spots and broader global participation, especially with cricket making its return to the Olympic Games in 2028. However, this plan won’t impact the next two Men’s T20 World Cups. Both the 2028 tournament in Australia and New Zealand and the 2030 edition are set to stick with the current 20-team format. The increase in teams would only kick in starting with the 2032 tournament, pending final approval from the ICC.
In the meantime, the ICC has already announced some changes to the tournament structure starting in 2028. The current Super Eight stage will be swapped out for a Super 10 phase along with Eliminators, but the number of teams will stay at 20. So, this proposed expansion would come after the new format has been rolled out. Still, a larger World Cup raises some important questions about scheduling, the length of the tournament, and how to balance international cricket with an increasingly busy franchise calendar.
That said, recent tournaments have bolstered the case for broader participation. The expanded 2024 edition delivered some unforgettable moments, like the USA’s stunning win over Pakistan and Afghanistan’s impressive victories against both Australia and New Zealand, which propelled them to the semi-finals. The 2026 tournament also had its share of surprises, with Zimbabwe taking down Sri Lanka and ultimately knocking Australia out of the playoff race. These performances have strengthened the belief that giving more nations a chance can lead to competitive cricket rather than one-sided matches.
