11 countries which have hosted the ICC World Cup thus far

The ICC Cricket World Cup has always remained as the major attraction all around the globe in the field of cricket. Whether it is a T20 or an ODI world cup, the crowd is always ready to give their best when it comes to cheering for their favourite team. The crowd is always on the edge of their seats because of the nail-biting finishes in World Cup.

It is a prestigious, and a dream moment for a cricketing nation to host the ICC Cricket World Cup. However, not all cricket playing nations have hosted the World Cup so far. Up till now, only 11 major cricketing countries have hosted this prestigious event in the history of cricket.

The top cricketing nations of the world like England and India have even hosted it multiple times. Whereas a country like Afghanistan is yet to host their first ICC Cricket World Cup. Such 11 nations which have hosted the World Cups so far are:

#11 Bangladesh ( ICC World Cup 2011)

The first match of 2011 ICC World Cup was played at Dhaka in Bangladesh.

The 10th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup was played in 3 countries- India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It was the first time that the ICC World Cup was hosted by Bangladesh. Few matches of the Bangladesh team were played in their home and the rest in India and Sri Lanka.

The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium and the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury cricket stadium were the two main grounds where the matches were organised in Bangladesh. In spite of having the home advantage, Bangladesh didn’t make it to the winning line as India lifted the 2011 World Cup.

#10 Kenya (2003)

Kenya had reached the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2003

Kenya so far hasn’t been considered as the sole country to host a world cup. However, it was selected as the co-host along with South Africa and Zimbabwe during the 2003 ICC World Cup.

However, though Kenya was selected as the co-host, very few matches were of that cup was played there. Only 2 matches of the 2003 World Cup had been played in Nairobi city of Kenya.

The Nairobi Gymkhana Club was selected as the venue to host the matches referring to its seating capacity of 8,000 spectators. Kenya won both the matches played on their home ground as the New Zealand side did not enter the cricket field due to security troubles while the African side upset Sri Lanka in their last home match.

#9 Zimbabwe (2003)

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak hits out during his innings of 72 not out

The standard of international cricket in Zimbabwe has raised to a large extent in the last few years. The credit for it goes to some high class players who took the level of Zimbabwean cricket to a new extent. Considering this point only, this country was allotted a few matches of the 2003 World Cup.

A total of 6 matches of the 2003 World Cup were played in two venues of Zimbabwe- Harare and Bulawayo. Three matches were played at Harare sports club and the rest of the three in the Queens sports club.

#8 West Indies (ICC World Cup 2007)

West Indies was the only country to host the 2007 ICC World Cup.

The 9th edition of the cricketing festival was organised in the year 2007. This time, West Indies got the chance to host the World Cup in their nation. A total of 8 stadiums were used to conduct 51 matches during that year. After this, West Indies hasn’t hosted an ICC World Cup so far.

Out of those 8 venues, Kensington Oval was the most remarkable stadium as it hosted the final match of that World Cup. However, West Indies didn’t get the favour of their home conditions as Australia won that World Cup after defeating Sri Lanka in the final through the Duckworth-lewis method as rain reduced the number of overs.

#7 Sri Lanka (1996 and 2011 ICC World Cup)

Sri Lanka has hosted 2 ICC World Cups so far - 1996 and 2011

Sri Lanka has been lucky to host 2 major cricketing World Cups so far. They hosted the ICC World Cup for the first time in 1996 along with India and Pakistan as the co-host. But only 4 matches of that world cup were played in their nation, 3 in Colombo and 1 in Kandy. However, they emerged as the winners of the World Cup by beating all-time favourites, Australia in the final.

They hosted their 2nd ICC World Cup in the year 2011 but this time with India and Bangladesh as their hosting partners. This World Cup was also a remembering one for them as they ended at the 2nd place. The Indian team defeated the Lankan side by 6 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai in the final to lift the trophy.

#6 Pakistan (1987 and 1996 ICC World Cup)

Pakistan hosted their first World Cup in the year 1987.

India and Pakistan have always remained as fierce rivals in terms of cricket. However, the year 1987 was a magical one for both the sides as for the first time, these 2 nations hosted the ICC World Cup on a combined basis. A total of 10 matches of that World Cup were played in Pakistan and the rest of the matches were contested in India.

Pakistan hosted its 2nd World Cup in the year 1996 this time with India and Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan had the upper hand as the final match was played at Lahore in Pakistan. However, they failed to make it to the final despite being the defending champions.

#5 South Africa (ICC World Cup 2003)

The 8th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup was organised in the year 2003 with South Africa as its main host

South Africa was selected as the main host for the 8th edition of ICC World Cup but few matches were also played in Zimbabwe and Kenya. However, Zimbabwe and Kenya just hosted 6 matches and 2 matches, respectively. Hence the major part of that World Cup was played in South Africa only.

A total of 12 venues were used in that World Cup with Johannesburg and Durban being chosen as the main spots. However, the most important final match was played at Johannesburg between Australia and India. Australia lifted the 2003 World Cup as they won the final by a huge margin of 125 runs.

#4 New Zealand (1992 and 2015 ICC World Cup)

New Zealand has hosted 2 ICC World Cups so far.

New Zealand has been an unlucky side especially when it comes to World Cups as they have hosted it multiple times but still have not lifted the trophy even once. New Zealand has hosted 2 world cups so far, the first one in 1992 and the 2nd one in 2015. In both the cups, New Zealand shared the hosting responsibilities with their neighbours, Australia.

New Zealand was just one victory away from winning their first World Cup in the history during the year 2015. The home side ended the 2015 World Cup as the runner-ups as they lost the final match against Australia. The semi-final and the quarter-final matches of both the World Cups were shared by the hosts but the final was played in Australia on both the occasions.

#3 Australia (1992 and 2015 ICC World Cup)

The Australian side got the home advantage as they won the 2015 ICC World Cup along with hosting it.

Australia has a very high success ratio in the Cricket World Cups. Australia has won 5 out of the 11 World cups conducted so far. Also, it is the only nation to win 3 consecutive World Cups. So far, Australia has hosted 2 World cups, one in 1992 and the other one in 2015.

Out of that 2, Australia won the 2015 World Cup as they made the most out of the home conditions. A total of 25 matches and 26 matches were played in Australia during the 1992 and 2015 World Cups respectively with the rest of them being held in New Zealand.

#2 India (1987,1996, and 2011 ICC World Cup)

India has hosted 3 ICC World Cups so far and has won 1 out of them.

India has hosted 3 out of the 11 World Cups so far. India hosted its first ever cricketing festival in 1987 with Pakistan as the co-host. The next 2 world cups hosted by India were played in the years 1996 and 2011, respectively.

India won the 2011 ICC World Cup with the help of home factor. Dhoni lifted the whole Wankhede crowd with that six as India lifted the World Cup for the 2nd time in 2011.

#1 England (1975,1979,1983, and 1999 ICC World Cup)

England has hosted 4 out of 11 ICC World Cups so far.

The first ever Cricket World Cup organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) was played in the year 1975. England was the first nation to host the most prestigious event in the history of cricket. Also, England hold the record for hosting the most number of World Cups with 4 World Cups so far.

However, the home side has been very unlucky as they have not won a single World Cup in spite of hosting 4 World Cups so far. The first 3 World Cups were consecutively hosted by the England side in the year 1975, 1979 and 1983. They hosted their 4th cup in the year 1999. In all these 4 world cups, final matches were played in London.