First four teams confirmed for women’s cricket at LA28

Australia, Great Britain (through England), India and South Africa have qualified for the six-team women's event after finishing as the highest-ranked teams from Oceania, Europe, Asia and Africa, respectively, at the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.

Cricket's return to the Olympic Games after 128 years has taken another major step forward, with the ICC and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirming the qualification pathway for LA28 and the first four women's teams officially booking their spots.

The qualification system combines performances at existing ICC events with the ICC Women's T20I rankings. Five of the six Olympic places will be awarded through this process, while the remaining berth will be decided at the inaugural ICC Olympics Qualifier in 2027.

Australia and England have underlined their credentials throughout the Women's T20 World Cup, remaining unbeaten to secure semi-final spots and, in the process, confirm Olympic qualification. South Africa once again delivered when it mattered to continue their rise on the global stage, while reigning ODI world champions India earned Asia's quota despite their T20 World Cup campaign ending earlier than hoped.

The qualification pathway also addresses the unique case of the West Indies. As the side represents multiple Caribbean nations rather than a single IOC-recognised National Olympic Committee (NOC), it cannot directly compete at the Olympic Games. Should the West Indies finish among the highest-ranked teams not already qualified by the end of 2026, the ICC will stage a dedicated Caribbean Qualifier to determine which NOC progresses to the ICC Olympics Qualifier.

With four places now filled, attention turns to the remaining Olympic berths as teams continue their pursuit of a place at LA28, where cricket will make its long-awaited return to the Games for the first time since 1900.

The last event was marked by Great Britain winning the sport's only previous Olympic gold. At LA28, six men's and six women's teams will compete in the T20 format, with matches scheduled from July 12 to 29 at a purpose-built venue in Pomona.

Click here to read article