LA Olympics Cricket Qualifiers Scheduled for JAN-FEB 2028: Report

New Delhi, October 23: The qualifying tournaments for the cricket competitions at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are scheduled to take place in January and February 2028.

According to a report by Cricinfo, which cited a global events calendar circulated by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to its member boards. The qualification window for both the men's and women's competitions features in the global events schedule shared by the ICC following meetings in Dubai in October.

The report stated, "Overall, there are 12 men's, seven women's and five Under-19 events (including qualifiers) currently scheduled between the 2027 and the 2031 ODI World Cups."

It added, "While several marquee events were already finalised by the ICC in 2021, multiple tournaments have now been assigned dates even as some dots remain to be connected."

Cricket will return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028, marking its first appearance at the event in more than a century. Each Olympic qualifying tournament is expected to feature eight teams, with participants to be finalised by the ICC based on international rankings.

Australia, India, South Africa and Great Britain have already qualified for the women's competition as the highest-ranked teams from their respective continents, based on their performances at the T20 World Cup earlier this year.

In the men's competition, the top-ranked teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania as of December 31, 2026, will secure qualification, according to the reported criteria.

Hosts the United States are eligible to compete in both the men's and women's events, provided their teams finish among the top 15 in the respective international rankings during the qualification period from June 30 to December 31, 2026.

Citing the ICC's communication to member boards, Cricinfo reported: "If the host (USA) does not meet the ranking criteria by 31 Dec 2026, that spot is reallocated based on the ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027 standings (cut-off 1 March 2027)."

The report also stated that the 2029 World Test Championship final is scheduled to be held in England from June 8 to 12. With the qualification window now outlined, teams will have a clearer timeline as they prepare for cricket's long-awaited return to the Olympic stage.