Zimbabwe to Join ICC Women ODI Championship in 2026
The ICC Women's Championship is set to expand its roster from 10 to 11 teams in the 2026-29 cycle, with Zimbabwe Women joining the league. This expansion follows the ICC's earlier confirmation to member boards, marking another milestone in the competition’s history. Initially launched in 2014 as an 8-team tournament, the Championship served as a crucial pathway to the ICC Women's World Cup. The first two cycles included powerhouse teams like Australia, England, India, and others, with Australia dominating both editions.
In the ongoing 2022-25 cycle, the competition grew to include 10 teams, with Ireland and Bangladesh joining as the 9th and 10th-ranked sides. These teams compete across eight series, either at home or away, with the top five finishers and host nation India securing direct qualification for the 2025 World Cup. The remaining teams will battle it out in the 2025 Women’s World Cup Qualifier against the next best-ranked teams, like Thailand and Scotland, for the final two spots.
Zimbabwe, who gained WODI status in 2021 and are currently ranked 14th on the Women's ODI table, will be the latest addition. Their inclusion signifies the ICC's confidence in Zimbabwe’s ability to meet the league's requirements, elevating them above higher-ranked Associate sides due to strategic and financial considerations. This move ensures that, except for Afghanistan, all ICC Full Members will participate in the next Championship cycle.
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