New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday officially announced that the Women’s World Cup 2029 will feature 10 teams, expanding from the 8-team format used in 2025. The decision was approved during the ICC Board meeting as part of its continued effort to grow women’s cricket globally.
The move follows the tremendous success of the 2025 Women’s World Cup, which saw record-breaking attendance figures, with nearly 300,000 fans turning up across venues — the highest ever for a women’s cricket event.
“The ICC board, keen to build on the success of the event, agreed to expand the next edition of the tournament to 10 teams (from 8 teams in 2025),” the ICC said in an official release.
India’s Historic 2025 Triumph
The 2025 Women’s World Cup final, held at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, saw India defeat South Africa by 52 runs to lift the trophy for the first time in history.
The 2025 edition featured India, South Africa, Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan competing across venues in India and Sri Lanka. India, South Africa, Australia, and England emerged as the four semi-finalists.
The triumph marked a defining moment for Indian women’s cricket, inspiring a new generation of players and fans.
Cricket at the 2028 Olympics
In another major announcement, the ICC confirmed that both men’s and women’s T20 cricket will feature at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with six teams each participating. In total, 28 matches will be played across the Olympic schedule.
This inclusion further cements cricket’s return to the global stage, providing a massive platform for women’s cricket to reach new audiences.
Boost for Associate Members
The ICC Board also approved a 10% increase in annual funding for its associate members, effective from 2026. The additional funding aims to strengthen domestic programs, high-performance structures, and overall cricket development across emerging nations.
“The uplift in funding will enable these countries to invest further in domestic programmes, high-performance structures, and cricket development across emerging regions,” the ICC said.
Mithali Raj and Amol Muzumdar Join ICC Women’s Cricket Committee
In another significant development, former India captain Mithali Raj and current women’s coach Amol Muzumdar have been appointed to the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee.
Other newly ratified members include Ashley De Silva, Ben Sawyer, Charlotte Edwards, and Sala Stella Siale-Vaea.
The committee’s goal is to guide the direction of women’s cricket globally, ensuring continued growth, competitive balance, and visibility across formats.
‘Project USA’ and Cricket’s Future in the US
The ICC also shared its first update on ‘Project USA’, launched following the suspension of USA Cricket for governance non-compliance. The project is designed to protect the commercial and development interests of players representing the United States and ensure their progress isn’t affected by the board’s suspension.
‘Project USA’ aims to build an optimized pathway for cricket’s participation at the 2028 LA Olympics, with a focus on infrastructure and grassroots growth in the region.
In Summary
With record-breaking fan engagement, increased investment in associate nations, and global initiatives like Project USA and Olympic inclusion, the ICC’s decisions mark a transformative phase for women’s cricket. The 2029 Women’s World Cup, featuring 10 teams for the first time, is set to be another landmark moment in the sport’s evolution.