Delhi NCR, Cricastar Sports Desk: The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is the pinnacle of One Day International (ODI) cricket for women’s national teams. The 13th edition of this prestigious tournament is set to be hosted by India from September 29th to October 26th, 2025. This will be the fourth time India has hosted the Women’s Cricket World Cup, following the editions in 1978, 1997, and 2013.

This edition marks a significant point in the tournament’s history as it will be the last time it features eight teams. The defending champions are Australia, who clinched their seventh title in 2022.

Qualification Journey

Eight teams will compete for the coveted World Cup trophy. The qualification pathways were as follows:

• Host Nation: India secured automatic qualification as the host.
• ICC Women’s Championship (2022-2025): The top five teams, excluding the host, from this championship cycle also gained direct entry. These teams are Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
• ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025: The final two spots were determined through a six-team qualifier tournament held in Pakistan from April 9th to April 19th, 2025. Pakistan and Bangladesh emerged as the two qualifying teams.

Tournament Format and Venues

The 2025 World Cup will follow a format similar to the 2022 edition, featuring a round-robin stage where all eight teams will play each other once. This will be followed by a knockout stage comprising the semi-finals and the final.

The matches will be held across five venues in India:

• Indore: Holkar Stadium
• Mullanpur: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium (Final Venue)
• Raipur: Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium
• Thiruvananthapuram: Greenfield International Stadium
• Visakhapatnam: ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium

Notably, due to an existing agreement between the cricket boards of India and Pakistan, all matches featuring the Pakistan women’s team will be played at a neutral venue outside of India. The specific neutral venue is yet to be officially announced.

Teams to Watch

The tournament promises exciting encounters with several strong contenders:

• Australia: The reigning champions are always a formidable force with a consistent track record in ICC events.
• England: As the runners-up in the previous edition and boasting experienced players, England will be aiming to go one step further.
• India: Playing at home will give the Indian team a significant advantage, and they will be eager to lift their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title.
• New Zealand: With a blend of experienced campaigners and talented all-rounders, the White Ferns will be looking to replicate their T20 World Cup success in the ODI format.
• South Africa: Having reached the semi-finals in the last two editions, the Proteas will be determined to make it to the final this time.
• Pakistan: After a dominant performance in the qualifiers, Pakistan will be keen to make their mark on the world stage, even with their matches being played at a neutral venue.
• Bangladesh: Qualifying through a competitive tournament, Bangladesh will bring their dynamic young talent to challenge the established teams.
• Sri Lanka: Having secured automatic qualification, Sri Lanka’s diverse spin attack could pose a threat in sub-continental conditions.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup is poised to be a thrilling tournament, showcasing the best talent in women’s international cricket. Fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating the battles on the field as these eight nations vie for the ultimate prize in women’s ODI cricket. This edition will not only crown a champion but also inspire the next generation of female cricketers globally.