The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended USA Cricket’s membership with immediate effect, citing repeated breaches of governance standards, reputational damage, and failure to meet compliance obligations under the ICC Constitution. Despite the suspension, USA’s national teams will continue to participate in ICC tournaments, including preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The ICC Board made the decision following its latest meeting, after conducting an extensive review of USA Cricket’s operations and year-long engagement with stakeholders. According to the ICC, the suspension was “an unfortunate but necessary step” to safeguard the long-term credibility of cricket globally and to protect the sport’s future in the United States.
Governance Failures and Breaches
At the heart of the suspension lies USA Cricket’s inability to implement a functional and sustainable governance structure. The ICC noted that despite repeated warnings, USA Cricket failed to make significant progress toward achieving recognition as the official National Governing Body with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
Other breaches included failure to meet ICC Membership Criteria, consistent administrative inefficiencies, and actions that severely harmed the sport’s reputation in both the U.S. and international cricketing circles.
The ICC clarified that while the membership suspension removes USA Cricket’s administrative rights, it does not penalize athletes or compromise the progress of the sport at the grassroots or professional levels.
Protection for Players and Olympic Preparations
One of the ICC’s biggest priorities is ensuring athletes do not suffer from administrative shortcomings. To this end, the ICC Board confirmed that USA’s national teams will retain their eligibility to compete in ICC events, including qualification pathways for the T20 World Cup and the highly anticipated inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28).
To guarantee uninterrupted development, the ICC and its designated representatives will temporarily oversee the management of USA national teams. This transitional arrangement aims to sustain the High-Performance and Player Development Program in the country, ensuring athletes continue to receive proper coaching, facilities, and international exposure.
The ICC also emphasized its firm commitment to preserving the momentum toward Olympic participation, a critical milestone for the sport’s global growth.
Role of the ICC Normalisation Committee
The ICC Normalisation Committee, supported by ICC management, will now be tasked with monitoring and guiding USA Cricket through a series of corrective steps. For the suspension to be lifted, USA Cricket must make demonstrable improvements to its governance framework, operations, and integration into the global cricket ecosystem.
This includes transparent financial management, greater accountability within the board, and compliance with international cricketing standards. The Normalisation Committee will not only track progress but also provide consultative support to ensure USA Cricket implements sustainable reforms.
A History of Non-Compliance
This suspension follows a series of warnings. USA Cricket was placed “on notice” during the ICC Annual General Meeting in 2024 for failing to comply with membership criteria. The organization was given 12 months to address shortcomings but did not deliver sufficient progress.
In July 2025, the ICC Board held off from immediate suspension after USA Cricket made commitments to reform. However, those commitments were either not implemented or were breached, leaving the ICC with little choice but to act decisively.
The ICC highlighted that USA Cricket had been specifically warned not to take any action that could jeopardize cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics or bring disrepute to the ICC and the sport at large. Despite this, breaches continued.
ICC’s Commitment to U.S. Cricket
Despite the administrative turmoil, the ICC underlined its dedication to nurturing cricket in the United States. The U.S. is viewed as a key growth market, with its diverse population, expanding fan base, and the opportunity presented by cricket’s Olympic inclusion.
By taking direct responsibility for team management, the ICC hopes to protect players, safeguard competitive integrity, and continue to strengthen cricket’s presence in the U.S. market.
The ICC stressed that the suspension should not be seen as a step back but as a reset, ensuring that governance and administration in the U.S. align with global best practices. The long-term vision is to restore USA Cricket’s membership once reforms are properly enacted and sustained.
Looking Ahead
For now, the spotlight is firmly on the Normalisation Committee and USA Cricket’s willingness to embrace change. The future of cricket in the U.S. depends on transparency, reform, and accountability.
The ICC’s intervention highlights the seriousness with which global cricket authorities view governance failures. While the players will still carry the flag in international competitions, USA Cricket as an organization faces a defining test of survival and credibility.
