With less than three years until cricket’s return to the Olympic Games, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended the membership of USA Cricket, citing repeated governance failures and breaches of obligations under the ICC Constitution.

In a statement, the ICC emphasized that its top priority is ensuring athletes and the sport itself are not adversely affected by the decision. As part of the ruling, the United States national teams will continue to participate in ICC tournaments, including preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28).

To safeguard players’ interests and maintain development pathways, the ICC and its designated representatives will temporarily oversee the management and administration of USA national teams. The interim arrangement is intended to ensure stability, support high-performance programs, and sustain player development initiatives.

“The suspension is an unfortunate but necessary step to protect the long-term interests of the game,” the ICC noted, underscoring its commitment to elevating the stature of cricketers in the United States and preserving cricket’s Olympic momentum.

The ICC Board’s decision followed an extensive review and consultation with stakeholders over the past year. USA Cricket was found to have failed to establish a functional governance structure, made no significant progress toward recognition as a National Governing Body with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and engaged in actions that damaged cricket’s reputation both domestically and globally.

A new ICC Normalization Committee, backed by ICC management, will outline the corrective steps necessary for USA Cricket to regain membership status. These include demonstrable changes in governance, operations, and compliance with ICC membership standards. The committee will also monitor USA Cricket’s progress and provide consultative guidance.

This suspension comes despite earlier warnings. At the 2024 ICC Annual General Meeting, USA Cricket was placed “on notice” for non-compliance and given 12 months to implement reforms. 

In July 2025, following commitments made by USA Cricket to the ICC Board, the membership narrowly avoided suspension. At the time, the organization was explicitly warned not to take any action, or fail to act, in ways that could jeopardize cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics or bring the game into disrepute.

The United States recently co-hosted the T20 World Cup with the West Indies, a landmark event that showcased cricket’s growing popularity in North America. However, the suspension now raises concerns about the long-term stability of the sport in the region and the viability of upcoming franchise tournaments.

Despite these challenges, the ICC reiterated its commitment to nurturing cricket’s growth in the U.S., protecting athletes, and ensuring the sport’s successful re-entry onto the Olympic stage at LA28.

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