Graeme Smith has welcomed the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 returning to Africa, saying the tournament will give the continent another chance to stage cricket’s biggest 50-over event after more than two decades.
South Africa will co-host the tournament with Zimbabwe and Namibia. Organisers unveiled the tournament’s brand and 12 venues at a launch ceremony in Johannesburg. Africa last hosted the Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2003, when South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya shared hosting duties.
Smith believes the return is overdue.
“It’s been a long time coming since Africa or South Africa hosted a men’s world cricket event again,” Smith said.
“I think the vibrancy of these three nations, the quality of players, the fan base certainly deserves a world event in the game, so it’s great to have it back.”
The Cricket World Cup 2027 will also feature 14 teams for the first time since 2015. Smith said the expanded format will help the game grow and encourage more supporters to travel to the host nations.
He pointed to the recent FIFA World Cup as an example of how larger tournaments bring countries and supporters together.
“We’ve just come off a football World Cup where you’ve seen a massive amount of nations compete and the cultures and the coming together of many different countries getting behind their teams,” he said.
“With 14 teams now, you hope that many people decide to come and travel to South Africa and be a part of the event.”
Smith also believes the 50-over World Cup remains the most prestigious trophy in international cricket.
“I think still when you get to this ODI World Cup it’s going to be intense, the fandom is going to be great. I think it’s the one that everyone wants to get their hands on,” he said.
The Cricket World Cup 2027 will take place across eight venues in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Windhoek, Namibia. It will become only the third edition of the tournament to feature three host nations after the 1996 and 2003 events.
