How Many Countries Play Cricket In The World (Top List)

Currently, 110 countries play cricket at an official international level. The International Cricket Council (ICC) – the game’s global governing body – recognises them all. Of these 110 countries, 12 are full members (the major Test-playing nations such as India, Australia and England), and 98 are associate members who play mostly T20 and ODI cricket. Cricket has come a long way from its British origins. Today, the game is followed by 2.5 billion fans worldwide, and you can find cricket played on every continent.

Cricket is not just a game; it is a global spirit shared by billions of people. From the packed stadiums of Asia to the emerging leagues of America, this beautiful game unites people through passion and pride. Over the decades, cricket has transcended its traditional borders to become one of the most followed sports in the world. Currently, in 2026, cricket is represented in 108 countries by the International Cricket Council. These are divided into full members and associate members, each of which contributes to changing the face of the game around the world.

In this comprehensive guide, we will analyze cricket’s journey from its origins in England to a truly global game. You will also find in-depth tables of ICC member nations and how recent formats such as T20 have accelerated cricket’s growth.

A Brief History of Cricket

Cricket began as a simple bat-and-ball pastime in English villages in the 16th century. By the 18th century, it had become the national sport of England, played by both the nobility and the common people. As the British Empire grew, it brought cricket to its colonies, where the game’s roots went deep. The first international cricket match was played between Canada and the USA in 1844. Cricket has evolved into various formats, from multi-day matches to the T20 format that has attracted a younger audience.

Today, cricket is not just a game; it symbolises unity, tradition and innovation across continents.

Role of the International Cricket Council (ICC)

The ICC was founded in 1909 as the Royal Cricket Council. In 1987 it was renamed the International Cricket Council, reflecting its global development along with the rules of the game and the matches.

Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, the ICC leads all cricket activities in the following areas:

• Organisation of international tournaments: World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy
• Management of international rankings and player regulations
• Promotion of cricket in developing countries
• Fair play and anti-corruption governance
• Currently, the ICC has 108 member nations, divided into:
• 12 Full Members (Test playing nations)
• 96 Associate Members

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ICC Full Members (2026 list)

Full members have the distinction of being ICC members, having full voting membership and being permitted to play Test matches, ODIs and T20Is.

ICC Associate Members (Top List)

Associate Members are countries where cricket is well established and developing. But they are not yet eligible for full membership. They mainly play ODIs and T20Is, with some being granted ODI status.

ICC Membership Types Explained

Currently, only 8 associate nations have men’s ODI status. 5 have women’s ODI status.

Full members are the heavyweights. They play Test cricket (the longest, most respected format), have a seat at the table when the ICC’s big decisions are made, and run the major professional domestic leagues. Associate members are still developing their cricket programmes. They participate in T20 tournaments and qualify for global events, but they have not yet reached the level required for Test cricket.

ICC Members by Region (2026)

Cricket has spread to every corner of the world. Here is how the 110 ICC member nations are spread across different regions:

Amazing fact: Europe actually has the most ICC member nations of any region (34 in total). But Asia is where cricket is most loved. India alone has over 900 million cricket fans – more than the population of most continents. The game is most popular in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

Each of these regions has its own cricket council that organises domestic tournaments and helps smaller countries develop their cricket programmes. For example, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) organises famous tournaments such as the Asia Cup.

How Countries Join the ICC

Not every country that plays cricket informally is an official ICC member. To get that status, a nation has to meet specific rules set by the ICC. Here is what they need:

To become an Associate Member (Step 1):

• Establish a national cricket board that is legally recognised
• Run regular domestic cricket tournaments in the country
• Have at least two cricket grounds that meet ICC standards
• Create and submit a national cricket development plan
• Maintain a suitable annual budget for the game

To become a Full Member (Step 2 – very difficult):

• Play in at least three World Cups or T20 World Cups within a specified period
• Win four matches against existing Full Member teams
• Qualify for at least one Women’s World Cup
• Have a transparent, well-run cricket board with no government interference

This two-step system ensures that each ICC member is truly committed to the development of the game – not just looking for shortcuts to international competition. Afghanistan and Ireland had to work hard for several years before they were granted Full Member status in 2017.

Top Associate Nations with Men’s ODI Status

Women’s ODI status is held by Netherlands, Scotland, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, and UAE. The ICC has made women’s cricket development a major priority, investing funds specifically to help these five nations compete at a higher level.

Regional Bodies in Cricket

For the promotion of cricket, the ICC assists regional governing bodies in the development of the game.

1. Asian Cricket Council (ACC)

Formed in 1983, the ACC is the cricket promotion body for 30 member nations in Asia. The ACC manages various tournaments such as the Asia Cup, funds them and runs training programmes.

2. African Cricket Association (ACA)

The ACA, comprising 23 member nations, was formed in 1997. It also undertakes grassroots development and competitions such as the Africa T20 Cup.

3. ICC Americas

Formed in 2001, ICC Americas oversees cricket in North, Central and South America. It supports the development of cricket through development programmes and tournaments such as the Major League Cricket (MLC).

4. ICC East Asia-Pacific (EAP)

EAP was established in 1996 to promote cricket in East Asia and the Pacific regions such as Papua New Guinea, Japan and Vanuatu. It focuses on youth development and increasing participation.

5. ICC Europe

Established in 2008, ICC Europe develops cricket in 34 member nations including Germany, Spain, Italy and Sweden. Cricket in Europe has grown rapidly due to T20 leagues and overseas communities.

Former ICC Members

Six countries were once part of the ICC but lost their membership due to inactivity or governance issues:

These examples show that administrative coherence and an active domestic structure are key to ICC matches.

Evolution of Cricket: From Test to T20

Cricket formats have evolved to suit the modern audience.

Test cricket: This is the oldest and most prestigious form of the game, played over five days.

One-day international: This was introduced in 1971, with each team playing 50 overs at a fast pace.

The T20 international, which began in 2005, has become a truly entertaining three-hour game. The advent of the T20 era has led to the emergence of popular leagues such as the IPL, BBL and CPL, allowing smaller nations to play their own domestic matches.

Today, the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a landmark moment. As it helps broaden its appeal to millions of people globally.

Read More: How Many International Cricket Stadiums in India (2025 List)

Conclusion

Cricket is moving beyond its traditional strongholds of support. The ICC’s 108 member nations represent a diverse global community united by a love of the game. With innovations such as T20 leagues and digital coverage, cricket is becoming the universal language of the game.

As the ICC moves into new territories, the future of cricket in countries such as the USA, Nepal and Namibia looks brighter than ever. This is because they are emerging nations that also have exciting new contenders on the world stage.

FAQs: Questions & Answers

Q1. How many full member countries are there in the ICC?

The ICC currently has 12 full member countries, namely:

• India
• England
• Australia
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Bangladesh
• Zimbabwe
• West Indies
• Afghanistan
• Ireland.

These countries are allowed to play Test matches and have voting rights in the ICC.

Q2. What are Associate Members in Cricket?

These are countries where cricket is firmly established but has not reached full member standards. They participate in qualification tournaments for ODIs and T20Is and the World Cup. They do this to determine the entrants to the final events of such global events.

Q3. Which country played the first international cricket match?

The first international cricket match was played in 1844 between Canada and the United States at the St. George’s Cricket Club in New York. This game marks the beginning of cricket’s international journey before the advent of Test cricket.

Q4. How does the ICC promote cricket in new regions?

The ICC invests in coaching and regional tournaments to promote cricket worldwide.

Q5. Will more countries join the ICC in the future?

Yes, the ICC continuously evaluates and accepts new countries that demonstrate strong domestic development.