England drawn with South Africa and New Zealand for 2027 Cricket World Cup

England will face South Africa and New Zealand in the opening phase of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, with Australia and India placed in the other group. BBC Sport reported that Thursday's draw also paired England with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and a qualifier, setting out a five-match group campaign across Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

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Harry Brook's team are scheduled to start against Bangladesh in Windhoek on 8 October, before meeting Sri Lanka at the same venue on 13 October. England, who lifted the trophy in 2019, will then move to Gqeberha for a match against co-hosts South Africa on 16 October. Their final two group fixtures are against a qualifier in Harare on 20 October and New Zealand in Gqeberha on 23 October.

The Harare fixture gives the schedule a significance beyond the draw itself. According to BBC Sport, England have not played in Zimbabwe since 2004. They refused to play their 2003 World Cup match in Harare amid political unrest during Robert Mugabe's presidency, a decision that damaged their campaign. The BBC said relations have since improved and noted its 2025 reporting that the two boards had discussed a possible England tour during the 2027-2031 international cycle.

In the other group, defending champions Australia and top-ranked India will be joined by Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and a qualifier. Australia beat India in the 2023 final, and the sides are due to meet again in Cape Town on 7 October to begin the group stage. Three matches to determine the final two qualifiers are scheduled before that opening group fixture.

India and Pakistan have again been drawn together, with their meeting scheduled for Johannesburg on 10 October. BBC Sport noted that the rivals do not currently meet outside tournaments. Their placement alongside Australia puts the defending champions and both South Asian sides in the same section, while England's opening-stage opponents include co-hosts South Africa.

The draw also establishes the route through the competition. The first three teams in each group will advance alongside the better of the two fourth-placed finishers to a Super 7 stage. Four teams will then progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for 17 and 18 November. Johannesburg is due to host the final on 21 November.