Team GB will officially participate in the men’s T20 cricket tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as the ICC has adopted a regional qualification model aligned with Olympic standards.
This decision hasn’t sat well with Pakistan and New Zealand, who now face the risk of exclusion. India and Australia are expected to qualify from Asia and Oceania based on ICC rankings, with Great Britain (from Europe), South Africa (Africa), and the host USA (Americas) rounding out the lineup.
The ICC’s move is consistent with the International Olympic Committee’s preference for regional representation to ensure global inclusivity. Only six men’s teams will participate in LA 2028, making qualification highly competitive.
While discussions are still ongoing, the ICC board is unlikely to reverse the decision. One complication remains: USA’s eligibility. The ICC recently called for USA Cricket’s board to step down due to internal governance issues. Should the problem persist, a Caribbean nation could replace the USA in the tournament.
Despite being ranked fourth in ICC T20 standings, New Zealand could miss out due to Australia’s higher ranking. The USA, ranked 17th, will qualify as the host.
For the women’s T20 event, qualification will be decided via next year’s T20 World Cup. With England hosting the event, Team GB is well-positioned to qualify and expected to reach the semi-finals at a minimum.
Cricket is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1900, when Great Britain beat France in a one-off match for gold. LA 2028 matches will be held in Pomona, California, roughly 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, the ICC hopes to expand cricket’s Olympic presence at the 2032 Brisbane Games. Their ambitions stretch even further, with Ahmedabad in the running to host the 2036 Olympics — a move that could give cricket even more prominence.
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board is establishing a new entity, GB Cricket, to oversee the Olympic program. Advanced talks are underway with Cricket Scotland and a memorandum of understanding with Cricket Ireland is also being developed to ensure Northern Irish players are eligible.
GB Cricket is expected to be officially launched soon, pending recognition by the ICC and British Olympic Association.
