How many countries play cricket? Full ICC list 2025

If you’ve ever wondered how many countries play cricket, here’s your answer: as of 2025, a total of 110 nations officially play cricket under the International Cricket Council (ICC). This includes 12 full members and 98 associate members.

Cricket has expanded far beyond its British roots. Today, the sport connects 2.5 billion fans worldwide, with competitive cricket played on every continent. From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the calm pitches of the Netherlands, cricket unites people across cultures.

This year marked key updates: Timor-Leste joined the ICC, and Zambia was reinstated after its suspension, both proof that cricket continues to grow.

In this blog, we’ll explore the complete ICC member list, the difference between full and associate nations, and how new countries become part of the cricketing world.

What Defines a Cricket-Playing Country

Not every nation that plays cricket casually counts as an official cricket-playing country. To be recognized by the ICC, a nation must be part of its membership structure.

There are two levels of ICC membership:

• Full Members: Test-playing nations with professional domestic structures, voting rights, and the ability to host international tournaments.
• Associate Members: Countries developing their cricket infrastructure and mostly playing ODI and T20I formats.

To gain ICC recognition, a country must:

• Establish a national cricket board.
• Conduct domestic tournaments regularly.
• Maintain two or more standard cricket grounds.
• Meet development and financial criteria set by the ICC.

This process ensures that each member nation contributes to the sport’s structure responsibly and sustainably.

Also read: Richest cricket boards in the world

Total Cricket Playing Countries in 2025

As of 2025, 110 countries play cricket under ICC governance. Here’s the full breakdown:

Membership Type	No. of Countries	Formats Played
Full Members	12	Test, ODI, T20I
Associate Members	98	ODI, T20I
Total ICC Members (2025)	110	All formats combined

Cricket’s growth has been remarkable, especially over the last two decades. Since the introduction of universal T20I status in 2019, the number of active international teams has increased sharply — making cricket one of the fastest-growing sports worldwide.

ICC, The Global Governing Body of Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) governs world cricket. Established in 1909 as the Imperial Cricket Conference, it became the International Cricket Council in 1989.

Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The ICC manages:

• World Cups and global tournaments
• Team rankings and player ratings
• Match regulations and disciplinary systems
• Development funding for associate members

It also monitors governance standards among member boards.
In recent years:

• Zimbabwe faced suspension in 2019 due to board issues.
• Sri Lanka had a temporary suspension in 2023.
• Zambia was expelled but reinstated in 2025.

Such measures help maintain cricket’s credibility and structure as a truly international sport.

ICC Membership Structure Explained

The ICC classifies members into three categories, based on their cricketing standards and administrative maturity.

Type	Description	No. of Members	Example Nations
Full Members	Test-playing nations with voting rights and professional structures	12	India, England, Australia
Associate Members	Developing nations are improving their infrastructure and competing internationally	98	Nepal, USA, Oman
Former Members	Expelled or inactive countries	6	Russia, Cuba, Morocco

Full members lead global cricket decisions, while associates receive ICC support to strengthen their programs. The system ensures exclusivity, from powerhouse teams like India to rising nations such as Vanuatu or Mongolia, everyone has a place in world cricket.

Full Member Nations (12 Test Countries)

Full members are the top-tier cricketing nations that can play Test matches and have voting rights in ICC decisions. These teams have professional boards, long-standing domestic structures, and global fan bases.

Country	Joined ICC	Test Debut	Region	Governing Body	Notes
England	1909	1877	Europe	England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)	One of the founding members
Australia	1909	1877	Oceania	Cricket Australia	Founding member
South Africa	1909	1889	Africa	Cricket South Africa	Rejoined after the apartheid ban
India	1926	1932	Asia	Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)	The biggest cricket market
New Zealand	1926	1930	Oceania	New Zealand Cricket	Consistent Test performer
West Indies	1926	1928	Americas	Cricket West Indies	Represents multiple Caribbean nations
Pakistan	1952	1952	Asia	Pakistan Cricket Board	Strong fast-bowling legacy
Sri Lanka	1981	1982	Asia	Sri Lanka Cricket	1996 World Cup winner
Zimbabwe	1992	1992	Africa	Zimbabwe Cricket	Reinstated after 2019 suspension
Bangladesh	2000	2000	Asia	Bangladesh Cricket Board	Rapid rise in last two decades
Ireland	1993	2018	Europe	Cricket Ireland	Newest European Test team
Afghanistan	2001	2018	Asia	Afghanistan Cricket Board	Growth despite challenges

Each full member plays all three formats, Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, and holds key influence in shaping the future of cricket.

Also read: Types of Cricket Matches

Associate Members, 98 Developing Cricket Nations

Associate members are the heartbeat of cricket’s global growth. These countries are actively developing their domestic setups and competing in international tournaments, often outperforming expectations.

Associate Members with Men’s ODI Status (8 Nations)

1. Canada
2. Namibia
3. Nepal
4. Netherlands
5. Oman
6. Scotland
7. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
8. United States of America (USA)

These teams play regular ICC events and challenge full members in qualifiers — Nepal and the USA are especially making headlines with strong fan engagement and emerging leagues.

Associate Members with Women’s ODI Status (5 Nations)

1. Netherlands
2. Scotland
3. Thailand
4. Papua New Guinea
5. UAE

Women’s cricket expansion among associates is a major ICC focus, particularly in Asia and Europe.

Regional Grouping of All Associate Members (2025)

Region	Total Associates
Africa	20
Americas	16
Asia	20
Europe	32
East Asia-Pacific	10

This regional framework allows smaller nations to play frequent tournaments, improving visibility and performance.

Regional Overview of Cricket-Playing Nations

Cricket’s diversity shines through regional participation. Here’s the current ICC member split by continent:

Continent	Full Members	Associates	Total	% of ICC
Asia	5	20	25	22.7%
Europe	2	32	34	30.9%
Africa	2	20	22	20%
Americas	1	16	17	15.5%
East Asia-Pacific	2	10	12	10.9%

Europe has the most members, but Asia remains the power center of global cricket, producing world champions and top revenue.

Each continent has its own governing structure, like Asian Cricket Council (ACC), ICC Americas, and African Cricket Association (ACA), ensuring steady regional growth.

How Countries Become ICC Members

Becoming an ICC member is a long-term process involving planning, structure, and governance.

Steps to Join ICC as an Associate Member

1. Form a national cricket board with legal recognition.
2. Run domestic leagues and youth programs.
3. Maintain at least two cricket grounds meeting ICC standards.
4. Submit a development plan and budget report.
5. Apply formally to the ICC with regional support.

Promotion to Full Membership

• Consistent performance in World Cups or ICC events.
• Wins against existing full members.
• Strong women’s cricket program.
• Transparent governance and financial health.

This process encourages countries to develop sustainable cricket systems rather than rushing for status.

Former and Expelled ICC Members

Not every country remains an ICC member forever. Some lose their status due to poor governance or inactivity. Between 2000 and 2025, several nations were removed or temporarily suspended.

Country	Membership Period	Reason for Exit
Brunei	2002–2015	Non-compliance
Cuba	2002–2013	Governance issues
Morocco	1999–2019	Failed to meet ICC criteria
Russia	2012–2022	Governance-related suspension
Tonga	2000–2014	Administrative issues
Zambia	2003–2021 (Reinstated 2025)	Expelled, then restored

In addition, older combined teams such as East Africa and West Africa were dissolved in 2003 when individual nations formed their own boards. Zambia’s reinstatement in 2025 is a positive example of how the ICC allows nations to rebuild and rejoin.

Cricket Formats by Membership

Each level of ICC membership gives countries access to specific formats.

Test Cricket

Played only by the 12 full members. It’s considered the purest form of the game, played over five days with two innings per side.

Also read: Test Cricket Rules

One Day Internationals (ODIs)

Currently, 20 nations have ODI status, the 12 full members and 8 top-performing associate members.

Also read: One-Off Tournaments

T20 Internationals (T20Is)

Since 2019, every ICC member nation has T20I status for both men’s and women’s teams. This rule massively boosted cricket’s global participation and visibility.

T20 cricket has become the most accessible format for emerging countries due to shorter match durations and lower infrastructure costs.

Non-ICC Countries Where Cricket Is Played Informally

Cricket’s reach goes beyond official ICC boundaries. Many nations host amateur or expatriate cricket leagues without being part of the ICC system.

These include:

• Kosovo
• Monaco
• San Marino
• Greenland
• Vatican City

Additionally, large expatriate communities have built cricket clubs in China, Japan, Brazil, and Argentina.

Globally, there are around 30 million registered players, with many participating outside formal ICC channels. This unofficial growth showcases cricket’s universal appeal, even in nations where it’s not yet mainstream.

Cricket’s Popularity by Continent

Here’s a quick look at where cricket is most followed and played.

Rank	Country	Estimated Fans	Registered Players
1	India	900M+	1,000+ professionals
2	Pakistan	200M+	450 professionals
3	Bangladesh	100M+	200 professionals
4	England	30M	350 professionals
5	Australia	20M	300 professionals

Asia dominates the global cricket audience, while England and Australia continue to lead in organized domestic cricket systems.

Cricket’s fan map today looks more global than ever before, and that’s still growing every year.

Emerging Cricket Nations to Watch (2025–2030)

Cricket’s future lies in its emerging nations, the ones building strong structures, fan bases, and professional leagues.

Country	Highlights	ICC Ranking Progress
USA	Co-hosted 2024 T20 World Cup; Major League Cricket success	Top 20 in T20Is
Nepal	Massive youth following; consistent ODI performance	Top 15 ODI Associates
Oman	Strong infrastructure and hosting ability	Regular ICC Qualifiers
Namibia	Regular contender in global events	Ranked above some full members in T20Is
Mongolia	Newest ICC entrant; building school programs	Rapid grassroots growth
Timor-Leste	Joined ICC in 2025; early-stage cricket development	Emerging participation

The ICC’s associate investment programs and regional qualifiers continue to nurture these nations.
If progress continues, at least two new countries could achieve ODI status before 2030.

Cricket and the Olympics, The 2028 Boost

Cricket will return to the Olympics after 128 years, making its modern debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. The T20 format will represent the sport due to its shorter duration and mass appeal.

Expected participants include:

• Top ICC T20I-ranked nations
• The United States (host)
• Potential debutants from associate regions

This Olympic return will attract global investment, sponsorships, and new viewers. Analysts predict that cricket’s inclusion could lead to 10–15 new ICC members by 2030, especially from Europe and North America.

For the ICC, this is more than a tournament, it’s a global relaunch of the sport.

Why Not Every Country Plays Cricket

Cricket’s popularity is huge, but it still hasn’t reached every corner of the world. Several reasons explain why some nations don’t play it formally yet:

Main Challenges

• Colonial legacy: Cricket’s early spread was tied to the British Empire, leaving many regions untouched.
• Infrastructure cost: Quality pitches, equipment, and coaching are expensive.
• Complex rules: The game takes time to learn and organize.
• Other sports dominance: Football and basketball overshadow cricket in many countries.

Positive Shifts

• Shorter formats: T20 cricket attracts younger audiences and new markets.
• Streaming and social media: Matches are now easily accessible anywhere.
• Global leagues: Tournaments like IPL, MLC, and ILT20 help local fans connect with global players.

The future looks brighter, especially with ICC’s focus on grassroots development and digital expansion.

Cricket vs Other Global Sports

Let’s compare cricket’s global reach with other major sports by membership and fan regions.

Sport	Governing Body	Members	Popular Regions
Cricket	ICC	110	Asia, UK, Oceania
Football	FIFA	211	Global
Basketball	FIBA	213	Americas, Europe
Rugby	World Rugby	130	Oceania, Africa
Hockey	FIH	137	Europe, Asia

While cricket doesn’t yet match football or basketball in member count, it dominates Asia’s sports economy and continues to expand rapidly through T20 leagues and ICC outreach programs.

Historical Growth Timeline

Era	Key Development
1700s	Cricket originated in England.
1800s	Spread through British colonies.
1909	Imperial Cricket Conference formed.
1970s	World Cup tournaments began.
2000s	The T20 format revolutionized the sport.
2025	ICC reached 110 members, with global recognition.

From three founding members in 1909 to 110 nations in 2025, cricket’s rise is proof of how sports can unite the world.

Future of Cricket: The Next 5 Years

Cricket’s future is set for more global expansion.

• ICC 2030 Vision: Target of 120 members worldwide.
• Olympic inclusion: Expected to bring new fans and federations.
• Women’s cricket growth: Priority funding for equality and visibility.
• School-level initiatives: Encouraging youth participation in developing regions.

If this continues, cricket could become one of the top five most-played sports globally by 2030.

Conclusion, Cricket’s Global Journey

From just three founding nations in 1909 to 110 members in 2025, cricket has truly gone global. Every new country joining the ICC shows how far the game has come, from a royal pastime to a sport for everyone.

And it’s still growing. Shorter formats, new leagues, and digital platforms are helping millions experience cricket like never before.

If you love the game and want to follow matches from your country or region grass-root matches, download the CricHeroes App today. Track live scores, match stats, tournaments, and player performances, all in one place.

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FAQs

1. How many countries will play cricket in 2025?
A total of 110 countries are officially recognized by the ICC.

2. Which are the 12 Test nations?
England, Australia, India, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland, and Afghanistan.

3. How many have ODI status?
Twenty nations, 12 full members and 8 associate members.

4. What is the newest ICC member?
Timor-Leste, which joined in 2025.

5. How many European countries play cricket?
There are 34 European ICC members, the most of any continent.

6. Can every ICC member play T20Is?
Yes, all members have T20I status since 2019 for men and 2018 for women.

7. Which countries were expelled from ICC?
Russia, Cuba, Morocco, Tonga, and Brunei lost membership; Zambia was reinstated.

8. How can a country become an ICC member?
It must form a cricket board, run domestic leagues, and meet ICC’s infrastructure and governance criteria.

9. Which continent has the most cricket nations?
Europe leads with 34, followed by Asia with 25.

10. Will more countries join by 2030?
Yes, ICC aims for at least 10 new members by then, driven by Olympic exposure.