Following an annual update to the ODI rankings by the ICC, England's position for the 2027 ODI World Cup is jeopardized. Previously a top-ranked team, England has slipped to eighth place with a rating of 84, now below Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Sports News: The annual update to the ODI rankings released by the ICC has made the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup significantly more challenging for the England cricket team. The 2019 World Cup winners have dropped to eighth in the ODI rankings, severely impacting their World Cup qualification prospects.
The team won only three out of 14 ODI matches played between May 4, 2024, and May 5, 2025, resulting in a win/loss ratio of 0.272. While this is better than Nepal (0.200) and Bangladesh (0.142), it remains a major concern for England.
England's Ranking Decline
According to the latest ICC update, England is ranked eighth with a rating of 84, a serious cause for concern. This ranking places England below teams like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. England's significantly lower rating points compared to these teams pose a major hurdle to direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The New Format for the 2027 World Cup
The 2027 ODI World Cup will feature 14 teams. Zimbabwe and South Africa have already qualified as co-hosts. However, Namibia, despite co-hosting, will not automatically qualify as the event is restricted to full ICC member nations. Therefore, Namibia must improve its standing in the coming years to qualify.
Furthermore, the top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings will secure direct entry into the tournament. This ranking will be finalized after the cut-off date of March 31, 2027. If England fails to improve its ranking, it may have to play in the World Cup qualifiers. Currently, England sits in eighth place, just one point above West Indies, who are ninth.
Importance of the Upcoming Series Against the West Indies
Another significant challenge for England is the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies, starting May 29, 2025. A West Indies victory in this series would drop England to ninth place, further jeopardizing qualification and making direct entry into the 2027 World Cup even more difficult.
These are challenging times for England, particularly with the recent change in captaincy to Harry Brook. While his leadership is expected to improve the team's strategy and performance, a significant improvement is needed to avoid the threat of playing in the World Cup qualifiers.
In 2023, the West Indies also had to play in the World Cup qualifiers – a first for them. This now poses a significant threat to England; if their situation doesn't improve, they too may have to participate in the qualifiers.
