Nepal to Host Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off in December

Nepal will host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off from December 4 to 21, 2026, the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has announced. The 50-over competition will bring eight teams together to compete for four places in the next stage of qualification for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The field is made up of the four bottom-placed teams in the Cricket World Cup League 2 standings and the top two teams from each of the two Cricket World Cup Challenge League groups. Nepal, Canada and the United Arab Emirates are among the confirmed League 2 participants. The final places will depend on the relevant standings and completion of the Challenge League group.

The four best-performing teams at the play-off will progress to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2027, which is due to be jointly hosted by South Africa and Namibia. That event will determine the remaining places at the 2027 World Cup.

Hosting the play-off gives Nepal home conditions in a high-stakes stage of the qualification pathway. The tournament is also expected to bring visiting teams and support staff to the country for an extended series of one-day international matches.

CAN has announced the tournament window, while the full fixture list and match venues are still to be released. Further details will be added when the official schedule becomes available.

Sources: Cricnepal; The Kathmandu Post.