Pakistan and India Likely in Same Group at 2027 ODI World Cup

Pakistan and India are expected to be placed in the same group at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, according to media reports. The full schedule of the 50 over tournament will be announced on Thursday, October 1, at a launch event in Cape Town, South Africa. The event begins at 6pm local time, which is 9pm in Pakistan, and also marks the start of the one year countdown to the World Cup.

The reports say commercial partners of the tournament want a Pakistan vs India match in the group stage. Matches between the two neighbours attract the biggest TV audiences in world cricket, and that brings large money to broadcasters and the ICC. Neither the ICC nor the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed the groups yet, so the final word will come only with the official schedule.

What is known about the 2027 World Cup

The tournament will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, and the final will be played on November 21, 2027. The latest reports say the first match will take place on October 2, 2027, although earlier ICC dates gave October 4 as the opening day. The exact start date will be confirmed in the schedule.

The ICC named 12 venues on July 30, 2026, at a ceremony in Johannesburg. Eight are in South Africa, three in Zimbabwe and one in Namibia. Famous grounds on the list include Newlands in Cape Town, the Wanderers in Johannesburg, Kingsmead in Durban and Centurion Park. This will be the first men's ODI World Cup in Africa since 2003, and the first time Namibia hosts World Cup matches.

Fourteen teams will take part, up from 10 at the 2023 World Cup in India. The cut off date for direct entry through the ICC ODI rankings was September 30. According to reports, Pakistan, India, Australia, New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have secured direct places, along with hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe. The last four places will be decided at a qualifying event early next year, and two time champions West Indies will have to play in it.

How the new format works

The ICC changed the format at its annual meeting in Edinburgh and announced it on July 15, 2026. There are now three rounds before the semifinals.

In the first round, called the Super Series, the three lowest ranked teams play each other and only the top team moves on. In the second round, 12 teams are split into two groups of six. Every team plays the others in its group once, which makes 30 matches. This is the stage where Pakistan and India are expected to meet.

The top three teams from each group, plus the next best team from either group, go into a new Super 7 round. These seven teams play each other once in 21 matches. The top four reach the semifinals, where first plays fourth and second plays third. There are no quarterfinals.

This structure means fans could see up to three Pakistan vs India matches in one World Cup. If they share a group, they meet once there. If both reach the Super 7, they are sure to meet again. A third match is possible only if they then face each other in a semifinal or the final.

A one sided record in World Cups

History does not favour Pakistan. India have won all eight of their meetings at ODI World Cups. Pakistan's last win over India in a 50 over ICC event came in the Champions Trophy final at The Oval in London in June 2017.

The two teams last met on February 15, 2026, at the T20 World Cup in Colombo. India scored 175 for 7, with Ishan Kishan making 77, and Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs to lose by 61 runs. That match had been in doubt for days. The Pakistan government first told the team to boycott it in support of Bangladesh, who had been removed from the tournament, but it reversed the decision on February 9 after talks and requests from Sri Lanka and the UAE.

Relations on the field also remain cold. The two captains did not shake hands at the toss in Colombo, just as they had not during the 2025 Asia Cup.

What it means for Pakistan and what comes next

Pakistan and India do not play bilateral series because of political tensions. India last toured Pakistan for a series in 2006, so ICC events are now the only place where fans can watch the two teams play. Under a deal agreed in December 2024, their matches in ICC events hosted by either country during 2024 to 2027 are played at neutral venues. The 2027 World Cup avoids this problem completely, because it is being held in southern Africa and both teams will travel there anyway.

Match times should also suit viewers at home. South Africa is three hours behind Pakistan, so most games should be shown in the afternoon and evening in Pakistan. On tickets, reports say fans can register for a ticket ballot from the day of the schedule launch, but tickets will not go on general sale straight away. Pakistani fans hoping to travel should follow the ICC's official channels for the steps.

The Cape Town launch will confirm the groups, dates and venues, including whether Pakistan and India really share a group and where they will play. With its place in the tournament already secured, Pakistan now has one year to build a squad that can finally end its losing run against India at the 50 over World Cup.