The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended the membership of USA Cricket with immediate effect, citing repeated failures to resolve governance disputes and comply with affiliation criteria.
The decision, taken by the ICC Board after months of engagement with stakeholders, follows USA Cricket’s inability to address the concerns raised when it was put “on notice” during the 2024 ICC Annual General Meeting. Despite being given 12 months to reform, the governing body failed to act, prompting what the ICC termed an “unfortunate but necessary step.”
Governance Failures at the Core
In a statement, the ICC said USA Cricket had repeatedly breached its obligations as a member under the ICC Constitution.
The issues included:
• Failure to implement a functional governance structure
• Lack of progress toward recognition by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
• Actions that have caused reputational damage to cricket in the US and internationally
These breaches made it impossible for the ICC to continue recognising USA Cricket in its current form.
Olympic Participation Protected
Despite the suspension, the ICC has made it clear that USA’s national teams will not be penalised on the field. With cricket set to return to the Olympic programme at Los Angeles 2028 in the T20 format, the governing body confirmed that USA teams will retain their right to participate in both ICC events and preparations for LA28.
To ensure continuity, the management of USA’s national teams will be temporarily overseen by the ICC or its designated representatives. This arrangement, the ICC stressed, will safeguard player interests and maintain momentum toward Olympic inclusion.
Focus on Players, Not Politics
The ICC underlined its commitment to protecting cricketers in the United States and sustaining a pathway for talent development.
This approach reflects our firm commitment to upholding the best interests of players in the USA while ensuring the continuation of a high-performance and player development programme.
For now, USA Cricket stands stripped of its membership privileges but not its players’ Olympic ambitions. The real challenge will be whether the organisation can restructure itself in time to regain ICC’s trust — and re-establish itself as the rightful custodian of the game in one of cricket’s emerging markets.
