IOC approves cricket qualification criteria for Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

Indian team (File pic)

The framework determining how teams will qualify for the cricket event at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games has been made public following formal endorsement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board.

A total of six countries will compete in both the Men's and Women's T20 tournaments in Los Angeles, with continental representation assured for Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

Five of the available spots for each tournament will be allocated using a mix of established ICC tournaments and official ICC T20I rankings, aligned with the currently authorised and published Future Tours Programme (FTP) schedule. The sixth and final spot for both the Men's and Women's draws will be decided through the newly created ICC Olympics Qualifier, scheduled for 2027.

The ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 has confirmed the first participants for LA28, with Australia, Great Britain (via England), India and South Africa qualifying as the highest-placed eligible finishers from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

Because the West Indies acts as a combined ICC member representing several Caribbean territories and is not independently recognised as an IOC National Olympic Committee (NOC), they are ineligible to participate in the Olympic Games or to obtain a quota place. However, if their men's and women's teams are among the eight highest-ranked teams not yet qualified by 31 December 2026, there will be a dedicated Caribbean Qualifier event to determine which NOC will represent the region at the ICC Olympics Qualifier.

Regarding the Americas region, the United States is eligible to secure a spot as the host nation for both the Men's and Women's brackets, provided they reach the top 15 of the corresponding ICC T20I rankings at any point during the designated evaluation window spanning from June 30, 2026, to December 31, 2026.

Jay Shah hails cricket's return to the Olympics as 'iconic'

"Cricket's return to the Olympic Games is a landmark moment for our sport and a powerful opportunity to showcase the very best of cricket to the world. The confirmation of this qualification pathway is an important step towards Los Angeles 2028 and gives Members across the world a clear and exciting route to the Olympic stage." ICC Chairman Jay Shah said.

(With ANI inputs)