Hosts Nepal will face Italy at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground on the opening day of the tournament, while Namibia and Uganda will clash simultaneously at the Mulpani Cricket Ground. Eight teams, including hosts Nepal, Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will compete for the final four spots in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2027 when the round-robin Qualifier Play-off begins in Kathmandu from December 4 to 21. Canada, Kuwait, Jersey and the UAE are the other teams in contention for the remaining berths in the 10-team Global Qualifier, which will determine the final four places for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
The teams already qualified for the Global Qualifier are Ireland and West Indies, who progressed as the two highest-ranked teams outside the eight automatic World Cup qualifiers, excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe. ICC General Manager – Events and Operations Gaurav Saxena said: “The Qualifier Play-off is a crucial stage in the pathway to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, and I am sure all eight teams will be eager to seize this opportunity and secure a place in the next stage. The United States, Scotland, Netherlands and Oman secured direct qualification through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.
The winner of the Global Qualifier will earn direct entry into the Group Stage of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, while the teams finishing second, third and fourth will qualify for the newly introduced Super Series.
