LA 2028 Olympics

ICC set to approve continental qualification, no place for Bangladesh

Online Desk

21 hrs ago

Bangladesh team

In a move set to reshape cricket’s long-awaited return to the Olympics after more than a century, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is poised to approve a continental qualification system to determine the six participating teams for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

This major development, discussed at the ICC’s recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), means only one team from each continent will make the cut—resulting in a significant reshuffle of expectations and the potential absence of some Full Member nations, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand and other nations.

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According to ESPNcricinfo, the majority of ICC members have expressed support for the continental format, while a minority voiced dissent. The proposed system aligns more closely with the Olympic ethos of global representation, rather than the ICC’s initial idea of selecting the top six ranked teams in the ICC T20I rankings at a pre-determined cut-off date.

The cricket tournament, scheduled between July 14 and 29, 2028, will feature six men's and six women's teams vying for Olympic medals. But under the new continental system, the composition could exclude several traditional cricketing powerhouses.

Based on current ICC men’s T20I rankings, the likely qualifiers include:

Asia: India (Ranked 1st)

Oceania: Australia (2nd)

Europe: England (3rd)

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Africa: South Africa (5th)

Americas: USA or a Caribbean nation

North America (Host Quota): USA (pending confirmation)

Despite this, none of these nations would be eligible unless they top their respective continental groups during the qualification phase.

The ICC is reportedly still debating whether USA will receive automatic qualification as hosts, which could impact the slot for the Americas.

The biggest potential loss, however, may be the absence of an India vs Pakistan clash, widely regarded as one of the most high-profile and emotionally charged fixtures in international sport. With only one Asian nation to be represented—most likely India—fans might miss out on witnessing this iconic rivalry on the Olympic stage.