ICC suspends USA Cricket for Governance breaches, National teams to continue playing

The suspension stems from USAC's inability to comply with directives issued over the past year. The ICC will temporarily assume control of the national teams' operations to ensure uninterrupted participation in upcoming events.

Why the Suspension Was Implemented

The ICC's decision comes after repeated warnings to USAC regarding its administrative structure. The global governing body had placed USAC on notice for non-compliance at its 2024 Annual General Meeting, giving the organization a 12-month period to rectify identified shortcomings .

According to the ICC, the primary reasons for the suspension include a lack of a functional administrative structure, a failure to make progress in obtaining National Governing Body status with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and actions that have damaged cricket's reputation in America and globally .

Tournament Participation Unaffected

Despite the suspension, the ICC has confirmed that the participation of US national teams in upcoming tournaments will not be affected. This means the American team will still compete in the T20 World Cup in February 2026, which is to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Furthermore, both the men's and women's teams will be eligible to participate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics .

To ensure smooth operations, the ICC will temporarily manage and operate the American national teams. This intervention aims to protect the athletes' opportunities while the underlying governance issues are addressed.

Path to Reinstatement

For the suspension to be lifted, USAC must implement substantial and specific changes to its governance structure and operations. The ICC's normalization committee will oversee this process, monitoring USAC's progress and providing consultative support. The committee will require demonstrable reforms before considering reinstatement .

This suspension highlights the critical importance of strong governance for national sports bodies. While the immediate focus is on correcting administrative failures, the ultimate goal is to build a sustainable foundation for cricket's growth in the American market, which gained significant attention after hosting matches in last year's T20 World Cup .