The proposed expansion of the World Test Championship (WTC) to include all 12 full members is facing significant hurdles, with financial concerns emerging as the biggest obstacle. According to Hindustan Times, an International Cricket Council (ICC) working group recommended expanding the competition, but the proposal is unlikely to receive sufficient support because several boards could struggle with the cost of hosting Test matches.

The WTC was introduced to give greater context to bilateral Test series and provide the longest format with a global championship race. However, as the fourth WTC cycle gets underway, the ICC is exploring ways to keep Test cricket commercially sustainable and attract younger audiences. The debate over expansion has therefore become closely linked to the financial realities of international cricket.

An ICC working group led by Cricket New Zealand’s Roger Twose proposed bringing all 12 full-member nations into the WTC structure. While the idea could provide more teams with a pathway to compete for the championship, concerns remain over whether every board can afford to host regular Test matches.

ALSO READ: Mind Games Begin As Galle Pitch Takes Centre Stage Ahead Of India vs Sri Lanka Test

Ireland and Afghanistan are reportedly among the boards facing financial challenges. Hosting a single Test can cost around $1 million, while limited broadcast, ticketing, and commercial revenue can make it difficult for smaller cricket nations to recover the investment. Matches involving major teams such as India or England can generate greater interest, but those opportunities are not guaranteed.

Afghanistan faces an additional challenge because they continue to rely on overseas venues for their home fixtures. Although the ICC has increased financial support for emerging Test nations, the cost of staging matches remains a major concern and could make regular home Tests difficult to sustain.

Explained: Why economics could block World Test Championship expansion#WTC https://t.co/UgZWcPqJ5B

— HT Sports (@SportsbyHT) August 13, 2026

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, continues to campaign for a place in the WTC. The African nation played 11 Tests last year and has also reached an arrangement with the England and Wales Cricket Board to receive touring fees for away Test series, providing valuable financial assistance.

The quality and commercial appeal of certain match-ups are also being questioned. An India-Afghanistan Test in New Chandigarh attracted a relatively small crowd, while Afghanistan was dismissed twice within just 94.3 overs across three days. Such contests can struggle to generate the television, sponsorship, and stadium revenues required to make Test cricket financially viable.

ALSO READ: Matthew Hayden Backs Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Ahead Of Crucial India Test Series

For now, the existing WTC structure is expected to remain in place, allowing boards to organise bilateral series according to commercial priorities. India, England, and Australia continue to play regular five-Test series against one another under home-and-away arrangements.

The ICC is also considering changes to make the WTC more engaging throughout its two-year cycle. Interest often peaks around the final, while maintaining fan engagement during the broader championship remains difficult. A revised points system or other structural changes could be explored, with the ICC increasingly focused on “rightsizing” the WTC rather than expanding it without addressing the financial realities facing member boards.