England avoid Australia & India in World Cup draw

England have been drawn away from defending champions Australia and top‑ranked India in the group stage of the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. India and Pakistan are, once again, placed in the same group, alongside Australia, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and a qualifier. England, who won the trophy in 2019, are in the same group as co‑hosts South Africa, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and a qualifier. Harry Brook’s side, which has enjoyed a resurgence in the 50‑over format, begins its campaign against Bangladesh on 8 October and faces Sri Lanka on 13 October in Windhoek, Namibia. England will then travel to Gqeberha to meet South Africa on 16 October before heading to Harare to play a qualifier on 20 October. The group stage concludes when they face New Zealand again in Gqeberha on 23 October. The visit to Zimbabwe is notable because England has not played there since 2004. Political unrest in Zimbabwe under the former government of Robert Mugabe created difficulties for England’s men’s side throughout the 2000s. England boycotted their fixture against Zimbabwe in Harare at the 2003 World Cup – “a determination which yet derailed their campaign” – as detailed at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/67240832. Relations have improved in recent years, however, and BBC Sport reported in 2025 that the two cricket boards were discussing a possible England tour of the country during the next cycle of international cricket between 2027 and 2031. After three matches to determine the final two qualifiers, the tournament’s group stage will open with a repeat of the 2023 final, when India and Australia meet in Cape Town on 7 October. Arch‑rivals India and Pakistan, who do not play each other outside of ICC events, will contest their match in Johannesburg on 10 October. The top three teams, plus the best fourth‑placed finisher from each group, advance to the Super 7 stage. From there, the leading four sides progress to the semi‑finals, scheduled for 17 and 18 November, with the final set for 21 November in Johannesburg.