# LA 2028 Olympics cricket qualifiers moved to January-February 2028: Pakistan's route to the Games

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/la-2028-olympics-cricket-qualifiers-moved-to-january-february-2028-pakistans)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 23 Oct 2026
Updated: 23 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 25 Oct 2026

> The eight-team qualifiers slip from 2027 to early 2028, months before the Games. Only one Asian side gets a direct men's place, so here is what Pakistan's men and women need.

**The qualifying tournaments for cricket at the LA 2028 Olympics are now expected in January and February 2028, not in 2027 as first planned**, according to a global events list the ICC shared with member boards after its October meetings in Dubai. ESPNcricinfo first reported the window, and it was carried by [IANS](https://ianslive.in/la-2028-olympic-qualifiers-pushed-back-to-early-2028--20261023163808) and PTI via [Business Standard](https://www.business-standard.com/amp/sports/olympics/la-olympics-2028-cricket-qualifiers-expected-in-jan-feb-says-report-126102300895_1.html). That leaves less than six months between the qualifiers and the Games, which open in Los Angeles in July 2028. Venues have not been named.

For Pakistan this matters directly: unless the men's team finishes 2026 as the highest-ranked Asian side in the ICC T20I rankings, ahead of India, its road to the Olympics runs through that qualifier.

## How Olympic cricket qualification works

Six men's and six women's teams will play T20 cricket at a purpose-built ground in Pomona, with squads of 15, the [ICC confirmed in June](https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/qualification-and-format-confirmed-for-cricket-s-historic-return-at-la28-olympic-games).

| Route | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Continental places (Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania) | Highest-ranked eligible team from each on the T20I rankings of 31 December 2026 | Australia, India, South Africa and Great Britain, from the 2026 T20 World Cup |
| Host USA | In if ranked in the top 15 at any time from 30 June to 31 December 2026 (13th now, so assured) | Needs the top 15 (19th now); otherwise the spot goes by the 2027 Women's Champions Trophy standings |
| Sixth place | Winner of an eight-team ICC Olympics Qualifier, now expected Jan to Feb 2028 | Same |

The eight-team qualifiers will be made up of the seven highest-ranked teams not already in, plus the winner of a Caribbean qualifier. West Indies cannot enter as one team because it is not an Olympic nation, so its countries play off for one place.

## What it means for Pakistan

- **Men:** only one Asian side gets a direct place. Pakistan need to be the top-ranked Asian team on 31 December 2026, or win the qualifier in early 2028.
- **Women:** India has already taken Asia's continental place, so Pakistan women's only route is the qualifier, and they would need to be among the seven highest-ranked teams not yet qualified to get there.
- **The calendar:** the qualifier comes about seven months before Pakistan hosts the [Women's T20 World Cup 2028](/news/cricket/womens-t20-world-cup-2028-in-pakistan-from-7-september-to-1-october-mens-event) from 7 September to 1 October.

Cricket was last played at the Olympics in Paris in 1900. Follow Pakistan's fixtures and results on our [Pakistan women's team page](/news/cricket/pakistan-womens-cricket-team-squad-captain-fixtures-and-results), and see what a trip to the US would cost in rupees with our [dollar converter](/tools/finance/currency-converter).

## Frequently asked questions

**How can Pakistan qualify for cricket at the 2028 Olympics?**

The men qualify directly only as the highest-ranked Asian team in the ICC T20I rankings on 31 December 2026; otherwise they need to win the eight-team Olympics Qualifier, now expected in January and February 2028. Pakistan women can only qualify through that qualifier.

## Sources

- LA 2028 Olympic qualifiers pushed back to early 2028 (IANS): https://ianslive.in/la-2028-olympic-qualifiers-pushed-back-to-early-2028--20261023163808
- LA Olympics 2028: Cricket qualifiers expected in Jan-Feb, says report (Business Standard (PTI)): https://www.business-standard.com/amp/sports/olympics/la-olympics-2028-cricket-qualifiers-expected-in-jan-feb-says-report-126102300895_1.html
- Qualification and format confirmed for cricket's historic return at LA28 Olympic Games (ICC): https://www.icc-cricket.com/media-releases/qualification-and-format-confirmed-for-cricket-s-historic-return-at-la28-olympic-games

How to cite: "LA 2028 Olympics cricket qualifiers moved to January-February 2028: Pakistan's route to the Games", Searchable, 23 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/la-2028-olympics-cricket-qualifiers-moved-to-january-february-2028-pakistans