West Indies, one of the semi-finalists at the T20 World Cup, are ineligible to participate in the Olympics as a composite of nations, since they are not recognised as an IOC National Olympic Committee. But they can do so via a newly formed ICC Olympics Qualifier event, which will take place in 2027.

The four spots for the men’s event will be decided by the ICC T20I rankings, with the highest-placed eligible teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania on December 31, 2026 progressing to the Olympics.

For the fifth spot, USA, as hosts, are eligible to qualify for both men’s and women’s events but they have to appear in the top 15 of the respective ICC T20I rankings at any time during the qualification period from June 30, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Since USA men’s team is currently ranked 13th, they are all but through.

The women’s team, meanwhile, is ranked 20th. Should they not meet that criteria, a fifth automatic qualification spot will be awarded to the highest-placed non-qualified nation in the T20I rankings from any continent as of March 1, 2027.

The sixth team for each event will be decided by the Qualifier event, which will feature eight nations in each of the men’s and women’s competitions. The teams will be decided by the ICC T20I rankings.

If West Indies’ men’s and women’s teams are among the eight highest-ranked teams not yet qualified by December 31 2026, there will be a dedicated Caribbean Qualifier event to determine which region will participate at the Olympics Qualifier.

At the Olympics, the six qualified teams in each event will be divided into two groups of three. Each team will play each other once before playing two further matches against teams in the opposite group who did not finish in the same position. The final top two will contest for gold and silver medals, with the third- and fourth-highest nations competing for bronze.

In all, there will be 28 matches across both events, and all matches will be played at the purpose-built cricket venue in Pomona.