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International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah hailed cricket’s return to the Olympic Games at LA28 as a landmark moment for the sport after the ICC and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the qualification pathway, including the introduction of the inaugural ICC Olympics Qualifier.Jay Shah said the confirmed qualification system gives every member nation a clear pathway to the Olympics. He added that cricket’s return to the Games will inspire players and fans around the world while helping the sport grow and reach new audiences globally. “Cricket’s return to the Olympic Games is a landmark moment for our sport and a powerful opportunity to showcase the very best of cricket to the world. The confirmation of this qualification pathway is an important step towards Los Angeles 2028 and gives Members across the world a clear and exciting route to the Olympic stage,” Jay Shah said as quoted by the ICC media release.“The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of multi-event sport, and cricket’s inclusion at LA28 will inspire players and fans in every region. This is an historic moment, and one of great opportunity for our Members, as we continue to grow the game and take it to new audiences around the world.”Six teams each will compete in the men’s and women’s T20 cricket events at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania guaranteed at least one representative in both competitions.Five of the six qualification spots in each event will be decided through ICC tournaments and T20I rankings under the approved Future Tours Programme (FTP). The final place will be decided through the inaugural ICC Olympics Qualifier, scheduled to be held in 2027.Qualification for the women’s event has already begun through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. Australia, Great Britain (represented by England), India and South Africa have secured Olympic berths as the highest-ranked eligible teams from their respective continents. Only one team from each region can qualify directly.The West Indies cannot compete as a single team at the Olympics because they do not represent one IOC-recognised National Olympic Committee. However, if either the men’s or women’s West Indies team finishes among the top eight unqualified sides by the end of 2026, a Caribbean Qualifier will be held to determine which nation from the region earns the Olympic spot.As hosts, the USA can qualify automatically for both the men’s and women’s events if their teams are ranked inside the top 15 during the June-December 2026 qualification period. If they fail to meet that requirement, their quota place will be awarded to the next highest-ranked eligible team in the ICC rankings.The remaining men’s qualification spots will be filled through the ICC T20I rankings as of December 31, 2026, with the top eligible team from each continent qualifying. The final places in both the men’s and women’s competitions will then be decided at the 2027 ICC Olympics Qualifier, featuring eight teams in each event. The venue and schedule for the tournament will be announced at a later date.Each qualified team will be allowed a 15-player squad. The tournament will feature two groups of three teams, with every team playing the other two teams in its group once, along with two additional matches against teams from the opposite group.The top two teams at the end of the competition will contest the gold medal match, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will play for the bronze medal.A total of 28 matches will be played across the men’s and women’s tournaments at a purpose-built cricket venue in Pomona, Los Angeles.Under the Olympic Charter, each International Federation is responsible for setting its own qualification rules and participation criteria for the Olympic Games.