ICC Suspends USA Cricket Membership Over Governance Failures

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended USA Cricket’s membership with immediate effect after citing repeated and continued breaches of its obligations as an ICC Member. The decision was finalized at the ICC Board meeting following a year-long review and consultation with key stakeholders.

According to the ICC, USA Cricket failed to implement a functional governance structure and made little progress toward recognition as a National Governing Body by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Repeated actions that caused reputational damage to the sport further contributed to the suspension.

While the decision is a major setback for USA Cricket, the ICC clarified that the country’s national teams remain eligible to compete in global tournaments. This includes participation in qualification events leading up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which is viewed as a pivotal opportunity for cricket’s growth in the United States.

To ensure stability, the ICC will oversee the management of USA’s national teams through appointed representatives. The focus will remain on maintaining high-performance programmes, player development, and preparing squads for upcoming international competitions.

As part of the recovery process, the ICC will establish a Normalisation Committee to design and implement reforms aimed at restoring membership. The committee will work on strengthening governance, improving operational efficiency, and introducing structural changes to align USA Cricket with international standards.

In its official statement, the ICC described the suspension as “an unfortunate but necessary step” to safeguard the long-term interests of the sport. It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting players and ensuring cricket continues to expand across the US, where fan interest has grown steadily in recent years.

The suspension highlights the challenges faced by emerging cricket nations in establishing robust governance systems. With ICC support, USA Cricket now faces a critical test to rebuild trust and stability, ensuring the sport can flourish ahead of cricket’s highly anticipated return to the Olympic stage.