Cricket is set to return to the Olympic stage after 128 years, with the organisers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games confirming on Wednesday that six teams will vie for honours in both the men's and women's T20 competitions.
The sport last featured at the Olympics in 1900 during the Paris Games, when a one-off two-day match between Great Britain and France was held.
The contest, later recognised as an unofficial Test, marked cricket’s sole appearance at the Summer Games until now.
At LA28, the shortest format of the game — T20 — will be played, with each team allowed to field a 15-member squad. A total of 90 athlete quotas have been allotted per gender, according to the Games’ organisers.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) currently comprises 12 full members — Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, and Zimbabwe — while 94 nations form the associate members group.
Qualification norms for LA28 cricket are yet to be finalised. However, the United States is expected to gain a direct berth by virtue of being the host nation, leaving only five remaining slots to be decided through the qualifying rounds.
Cricket is among five new sports to be introduced at the 2028 Games, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes), and squash.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved cricket's inclusion in 2023, paving the way for the sport’s return to the Olympic fold.
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