ICC Meeting Update: USA and Canada Suspensions Continue, Mauritius Joins as Member

The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently concluded its significant annual meeting in Edinburgh, where several pivotal decisions regarding the future of global cricket were made. One of the most prominent outcomes of this gathering was the decision to uphold the suspension of both USA Cricket (USAC) and Cricket Canada (CC). Despite extensive deliberations among ICC officials regarding the internal governance and administrative challenges faced by these boards, the council concluded that the current status quo should remain unchanged for the time being. The officials decided that the existing conditions don't warrant the lifting of the bans at this stage.

Suspension Status of USA and Canada

The suspension of USA Cricket has been noted as being in effect since September 2025, while Cricket Canada was suspended in June of this year. The ICC emphasized that these boards must resolve their internal issues and governance structures before any reinstatement can be considered. This decision comes at a critical juncture, especially with the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympics on the horizon, where cricket is set to make a historic appearance. While lifting the suspension is seen as vital for the sport's growth and preparation in the United States for the 2028 games, the ICC has opted to defer this move until the boards demonstrate necessary improvements. On top of that, there were discussions regarding the potential inclusion of a Canadian team in the Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament held in the United States, which could serve as a collaborative step for the region.

Expansion of ICC Membership

In a positive development during the meeting, the Mauritius Cricket Federation (MCF) was officially welcomed as the newest Associate Member of the ICC. With the addition of Mauritius, the total number of ICC member nations has reached 111. This membership structure currently consists of 12 Full Members and 99 Associate Members. While Mauritius celebrated its new status, France Cricket faced a different outcome as it was issued a formal notice by the council regarding its standing and compliance.

Format and Championship Decisions

The ICC also addressed rumors regarding changes to the One Day International (ODI) format. It was categorically stated that there are no plans to reduce the number of overs from 50 to 40, maintaining the traditional structure of the format. Also, the council clarified that there is no immediate plan to expand the World Test Championship (WTC) to include more teams, while this means that nations like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, and Ireland won't be included in the WTC cycle for the time being. The meeting also focused on broader strategies to enhance the quality of cricket globally. The session concluded with a presentation from JioStar, the ICC's media partner, who shared a comprehensive report with all the attendees present at the meeting.