Ireland’s hopes of qualifying directly for the 2027 ODI World Cup ended on Wednesday after the first match of its five-ODI series against Afghanistan was washed out without a toss at Bready.

Ranked 12th, Ireland needed a 5-0 whitewash and West Indies to lose both its matches against India before the September 30 cut-off. Those results could have carried Ireland above Zimbabwe, West Indies and Afghanistan into a direct qualification position. The washout closed that route.

Ireland must now negotiate the 10-team World Cup Qualifier. The winner will advance directly to the tournament’s main 12-team stage, while the teams finishing second, third and fourth will enter the three-team Super Series, which forms the opening round of the World Cup. Only the Super Series winner will progress further.

The Qualifier will include two eligible bottom-ranked Full Members, four leading Cricket World Cup League 2 teams and four sides from the Qualifier Playoff.

Ireland also missed the 2023 World Cup after being eliminated during the Super Six phase of the Qualifier in Zimbabwe.