ZIMBABWE will stage 10 matches, including a blockbuster group clash against India at the new Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium in Victoria Falls, after the International Cricket Council yesterday unveiled the full programme for the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
The global showpiece returns to Africa for the first time in 24 years, with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia jointly hosting 57 matches across 12 venues from October 2 to November 21 next year.
Zimbabwe will spread its 10 matches across three venues, with Harare hosting four, Bulawayo two and Victoria Falls four as the resort city makes its World Cup debut.
South Africa will stage the bulk of the tournament with 41 matches across eight venues, while Namibia will host six matches in Windhoek.
The tournament will begin in Windhoek on October 2 with a three-team Super Series involving the second, third and fourth-placed teams from the 2027 World Cup Qualifier.
Further Super Series matches will be played on October 4 and 6, with the team finishing top advancing to the group stage.
Zimbabwe, who qualified automatically as co-hosts and an ICC Full Member, have been drawn in Group A alongside India, Australia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Qualifier A.
The Chevrons begin their campaign against Qualifier A at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on October 9 before returning to the same venue to face Afghanistan two days later.
They then move to Harare Sports Club for a potentially defining stretch against Australia on October 15 and Pakistan on October 19.
Zimbabwe will close their group campaign against India at Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium in Victoria Falls on October 24 in what will be the first World Cup match staged at the new ground.
The Victoria Falls venue will remain in the spotlight during the Super 7 stage, staging three further matches on October 28, October 30 and November 1.
Harare will host two additional group matches not involving Zimbabwe — New Zealand against Qualifier B on October 17 and England against Qualifier B on October 20 — taking the capital’s allocation to four matches.
South Africa headline Group B alongside New Zealand, Sri Lanka, England, Bangladesh and Qualifier B.
The Proteas open against New Zealand in Cape Town on October 9 before facing Qualifier B in Paarl on October 13.
They then meet England in Gqeberha on October 16, Bangladesh in Durban three days later and Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on October 22.
The 2027 edition will feature a new three-stage format before the knockout rounds.
After the opening three-match Super Series, 12 teams will contest a 30-match group stage divided into two groups of six.
The top three teams from each group, together with the better-performing fourth-placed side, will progress to the seven-team Super 7.
All seven teams will start the Super 7 afresh, with no points carried forward from the group stage. Each side will play six matches during the 21-match phase running from October 25 to November 14.
The top four will then advance to the semi-finals.
Cape Town will stage the first semi-final on November 17, while the second will be played in Tshwane the following day.
Johannesburg will provide the stage for the World Cup final on November 21, with November 22 reserved should an additional day be required.
Namibia, despite being a co-host, did not receive automatic qualification because it is not an ICC Full Member.
Ten teams, including hosts Zimbabwe and South Africa, have qualified directly for the group stage, while the remaining four World Cup places will be determined through the 2027 Qualifier.
The Qualifier winner will advance directly into the group stage, while the teams finishing second, third and fourth will contest the opening Super Series in Windhoek for the final group-stage berth.
The tournament will be the first Men’s Cricket World Cup staged on African soil since South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya jointly hosted the 2003 edition.
This time, Victoria Falls provides Zimbabwe with a new stage alongside the country’s traditional international cricket homes in Harare and Bulawayo, while Namibia will host senior Men’s Cricket World Cup matches for the first time.
