International Cricket Council: History and Member Countries

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global governing body for the sport of cricket. Its headquarters are located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It oversees the rules, major international tournaments, and the global growth of one of the world’s most popular sports.

History of the International Cricket Council

The group has a rich history dating back over a century. Representatives from Australia, England, and South Africa founded it on June 15, 1909. Back then, they called it the Imperial Cricket Conference. In the early days, only bodies within the British Empire that played Test cricket could join.

The group changed its name to the International Cricket Conference in 1965. At that time, it began allowing non-Test playing countries to join as associate members. It finally adopted its current name in 1987. Today, it boasts over 100 member nations. This shows the sport’s massive growth worldwide.

The Role of the ICC

The ICC plays many roles in international cricket. It manages the rules, regulations, and standards of play. This includes the Decision Review System. However, it does not hold legal power over local cricket leagues in member countries.

Most notably, the ICC official leadership organizes and governs major global tournaments. These big events include the Men’s and Women’s Cricket World Cups, the T20 World Cups, the World Test Championship, and the Champions Trophy.

Full Member Countries of the ICC

While there are dozens of associate members, the core of the group rests with its “Full Members”. These top nations hold full voting rights at meetings. They also qualify to play official Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

As of 2026, the 12 Full Member nations of the International Cricket Council are:

  • Afghanistan
  • Australia
  • Bangladesh
  • England
  • India
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand
  • Pakistan
  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
  • West Indies
  • Zimbabwe

The group continues to expand the reach of cricket globally. It funds development programs and ensures the integrity of the game through its Anti-Corruption Unit. It also attempts to bring the sport to new audiences worldwide. For more updates on international sports and events, keep exploring our latest articles and guides.

Image Gallery

TOPSHOT – India’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup final match against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 8, 2026. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP via Getty Images)

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