The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended USA Cricket's membership with immediate effect, a decision made after a thorough review of affairs and extensive engagement with key stakeholders over the past year. The decision was announced on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

The ICC Board based its decision on USA Cricket's repeated and continued breaches of its obligations as an ICC member under the ICC's constitution. These breaches include the failure to implement a functional governance structure and a lack of progress toward achieving National Governing Body (NGB) status with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). The ICC also stated that significant actions by USA Cricket have caused reputational damage to cricket in the United States and around the world.

In July 2024, USA Cricket was put "on notice" for non-compliance in structure and administration. Despite co-hosting the T20 World Cup with the West Indies, the board's internal turmoil, lack of sufficient oversight, and failure to achieve NGB recognition with USOPC remained unresolved. Although a review at the 2025 AGM contemplated suspension, the ICC said that the membership opted to keep the body on notice in July after representations and commitments from USA Cricket. The ICC warned USA Cricket not to jeopardize Olympic inclusion and not to act in a way that brings the sport or the ICC into disrepute.

The ICC has stated that the suspension is a necessary step to protect the long-term interests of the game. The ICC remains committed to supporting the growth of cricket in the United States, protecting the sporting ecosystem and its constituents, and bolstering its march towards a more significant role on the global stage.

Impact on Multi-Nation Events and the LA Olympics

Despite the suspension, the ICC has confirmed that the USA's national teams will still be allowed to participate in ICC events, including preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28). The ICC Board has decided that USA's national teams will retain their right to participate in ICC events.

However, losing ICC membership undermines access to funding, governance stability, and international legitimacy, which are crucial factors when teams are assessed for ranking, qualification paths, and fixture allocation. USA's bid to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is also under threat. Member boards are required to be recognized as National Governing Bodies by their national Olympic committees for cricket's return to the Olympics in T20 format.

To ensure that athletes and the sport are not impacted by the suspension, management and administration of the teams will be temporarily overseen by the ICC or its representatives to maintain support for players and high-performance programs. The ICC, working with ICC management, will set out the steps required for the suspension to be lifted and will monitor progress, including demonstrable and specific changes to governance, operations, and the body's standing within the cricket ecosystem.