Bangladesh Set for Direct 2027 World Cup Qualification After Afghanistan's Result

Bangladesh are now set to qualify directly for the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, after Afghanistan's win over Ireland in Belfast pushed the Tigers into an unassailable position in the ODI rankings.

The top eight teams in the rankings as of September 30, 2026 — excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe — earn automatic qualification, and Bangladesh currently sit ninth overall with 83 rating points, comfortably clear of West Indies on 77. Although the rankings won't be finalised until the September 30 cut-off, Bangladesh cannot realistically be overtaken with fewer than seven weeks remaining, even accounting for their three scheduled ODIs against India in that window.

The confirmed direct qualifiers alongside Bangladesh now read: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England, and Afghanistan, in addition to co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe. This would mark Bangladesh's fourth consecutive direct qualification for the 50-over World Cup, having also done so for the 2015, 2019, and 2023 editions.