The International Cricket Council (ICC) has mulled expanding the T20 World Cup to 32 teams at the 2028 edition to be held in Australia and New Zealand. The proposal for the expansion of the event was discussed at the ICC’s all-powerful board meeting on Saturday in Singapore, as part of the governing body’s annual conference. The ICC has formed a six-member working committee led by New Zealand’s Roger Twose and comprising top officials from the power nations - India, Australia, and England - to look into the proposal.

One of their biggest responsibilities is to assess the expansion plan, along with reviewing other major competitions. Based on their recommendations, the ICC will decide whether to advance or stall the proposed expansion of the 2028 T20 World Cup. If approved, it will become not only the biggest T20 World Cup in terms of team participation but the biggest cricketing event ever.

The move comes in the backdrop of Italy's qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. With cricket gaining traction in the US, thanks to the strong presence of Major League Cricket, the ICC is keen to open the door to more non-traditional cricket nations to realise the game's true potential and make it a truly global sport.

The 2026 T20 World Cup will feature 20 teams and consist of 55 matches. Like the 2024 tournament, the teams will be divided into four groups of five in the group stage, followed by the Super Eights, semifinals, and the final.

While the current system allows Associate Nations to participate in the mega event, the proposed expansion to 32 teams would allow Affiliate Nations to try their luck as well, making the growth of cricket more tangible.

However, hosting a 32-team T20 World Cup will require significant logistical planning from the ICC - including considerations around venues, hotel accommodations, and more. The dream needs careful evaluation and planning before it can become a reality.