# Africa's World Cup draw sets stage for 2027

> South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will host the expanded fourteen-team tournament next year, with fixtures and ticket sales now confirmed.
- Title: Africa's World Cup draw sets stage for 2027 · Daily Maverick
- Summary: South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will host the expanded fourteen-team tournament next year, with fixtures and ticket sales now confirmed. The Cricket World…
- Keywords: cricket world cup 2027, south africa, zimbabwe, namibia, proteas, australia, india, icc, jay shah, news, politics, Africa's
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-02-fixture-reveal-brings-africas-second-mens-cricket-world-cup-into-closer-focus
- Author: Yanga Sibembe
- Published: 2026-10-02T14:17:32+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: cricket world cup 2027, south africa, zimbabwe, namibia, proteas, australia, india, icc, jay shah, news, politics
## The draw is done
The Cricket World Cup 2027 draw has been completed, with the tournament set to begin on October seventh, twenty twenty-seven. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will host Africa's second men's World Cup.
## South Africa's group
The Proteas were placed in Group B alongside New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and a qualifier yet to be determined. South Africa will open against New Zealand in Cape Town on October ninth.
## Australia and India clash
Reigning world champions Australia begin their title defence against India on October seventh at Cape Town's Newlands Cricket Grounds. India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and a qualifier make up Group A.
## Qualifying round in Windhoek
Before the group stage, three lowest-ranked qualifying teams will play a round-robin in Windhoek, Namibia. Two teams will be eliminated and the survivor will join one of the two groups of six.
## Key fixtures confirmed
India and Pakistan will play on October tenth in Johannesburg. England will face Sri Lanka on October thirteenth at the Namibia Cricket Ground. St George's Park in Gqeberha will host a Group B match that may determine the group winner.
## Tournament structure
The tournament has expanded from ten teams to fourteen, with fifty-seven matches total. The top three teams from each group advance to the Super Seven phase. The top four teams then qualify for semifinals on November seventeenth and eighteenth, with the final on November twenty-first in Johannesburg.
## Ticket ballot opens
Tickets became available through a ballot system that opened on October first and closes on November twenty-first. Prices are expected to range from one hundred fifty-eight rands to five hundred fourteen rands depending on the fixture and tournament stage.
## How the ballot works
A ballot entry is a request to buy tickets and does not guarantee allocation. Where demand exceeds inventory, a randomised process determines who gets access. Registered fans can request a maximum of four tickets per match via tickets dot cricketworldcup dot com.
## ICC on accessibility
International Cricket Council chairperson Jay Shah said the ballot ensures fairness and prevents automated bots from mass-buying tickets for resale. The ICC remains committed to making World Cup events accessible with affordable prices for families and local communities.

> The ICC remains committed to making its World Cup events accessible to as many fans as possible, with affordable ticket prices and options that bring families, young people and local communities closer to the action.
## Key takeaway

The Cricket World Cup 2027 draw placed South Africa in a favourable group with New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The tournament begins October seventh with Australia versus India in Cape Town.