South Africa, which co-hosted the 2003 World Cup alongside Zimbabwe and Kenya, will stage matches across eight venues, while Zimbabwe will host games at three venues. Namibia will also host World Cup matches for the first time, with one venue selected for the tournament.
Speaking during the official unveiling of the 12 venues in Johannesburg, Smith expressed his excitement over Africa once again welcoming cricket’s biggest 50-over event.
“It’s been a long time coming since Africa or South Africa hosted a men’s World Cup again. The vibrancy of these three nations, the quality of players, and the passionate fan base certainly deserve a global cricket event. It’s fantastic to have it back,” Smith said.
Smith also welcomed the expansion of the tournament to 14 teams, believing it will enhance the competition’s global appeal and attract supporters from around the world.
Drawing comparisons with the recently concluded FIFA World Cup, he highlighted how major international sporting events unite different cultures and fan bases, adding that the expanded Cricket World Cup offers a similar opportunity for cricket to grow worldwide.
“World Cups are the pinnacle of sport. Every four years, the best teams compete for the biggest prize, and the ODI World Cup remains the trophy every cricketer dreams of winning. The atmosphere, the intensity, and the passion of the fans will make this a truly special event,” he added.
The 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will be the 14th edition of the tournament and the first since 2015 to feature 14 teams, ending the 10-team format used in the previous two editions.
A total of 12 venues will host the competition—eight in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe, and one in Namibia—as Africa prepares to stage the prestigious event once again after a gap of more than 20 years.
