The concept of the ODI World Cup in cricket was first introduced in 1975. West Indies won the first two editions. Since then, Australia has dominated this event and has won five titles, while India is also there with two World Cup wins. Meanwhile, there have been five instances when a team scored over 400 runs in an inning.
Australia and India have done it once, while South Africa has done it thrice. This article will include all the highest totals registered by a team in the World Cup event. There are three teams that have scored more than 390 runs as well.
Highest Total in ODI World Cup
| Team | Score | Against | Venue | Date |
| South Africa | 428/5 | Sri Lanka | Delhi | 7 Oct 2023 |
| Australia | 417/6 | Afghanistan | Perth | 4 Mar 2015 |
| India | 413/5 | Bermuda | Port of Spain | 19 Mar 2007 |
| South Africa | 411/4 | Ireland | Canberra | 3 Mar 2015 |
| South Africa | 408/5 | West Indies | Sydney | 27 Feb 2015 |
| South Africa | 399/7 | England | Mumbai | 21 Oct 2023 |
| Australia | 399/8 | Netherlands | Delhi | 25 Oct 2023 |
| Sri Lanka | 398/5 | Kenya | Kandy | 6 Mar 1996 |
| England | 397/6 | Afghanistan | Manchester | 18 Jun 2019 |
| New Zealand | 393/6 | West Indies | Wellington | 21 Mar 2015 |
| Australia | 388 | New Zealand | Dharmasala | 28 Oct 2023 |
| England | 386/6 | Bangladesh | Cardiff | 8 Jun 2019 |
| Australia | 381/5 | Bangladesh | Nottingham | 20 Jun 2019 |
| Australia | 377/6 | South Africa | Basseterre | 24 Mar 2007 |
South Africa (411/4) vs Ireland in 2015 World Cup
South Africa has done this twice, and both occasions were recorded in the 2015 ODI World Cup. Their highest team total came against Ireland in the 24th game of the tournament in Canberra. The Proteas won the toss and decided to bat first. They lost Quinton de Kock (1) early. But after that, South Africa had a 247-run second-wicket partnership between Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis. Both batters scored centuries.
Amla made 159 off 128, with 16 fours and four sixes. Du Plessis made 109 off 109, including 10 fours and one six. In the end, David Miller (46 off 23) and Rilee Rossouw (61 off 30) added an unbeaten partnership of 110 runs off just 51 balls. South Africa posted a huge score of 411/4. It was almost impossible for Ireland to chase, and they were bowled out for 210 in 45 overs and lost by 201 runs. Kyle Abbott took 4/21.
India (413/5) vs Bermuda in 2007 World Cup
Team India crossed the 400-run mark for the first time in the 2007 ODI World Cup in the West Indies. Since then, they have done it five more times. They were also the first team to score over 400 runs in a World Cup event. India did it against Bermuda in Port of Spain in the 12th game of the tournament. Bermuda won the toss and elected to bowl first. India lost Robin Uthappa (3) early.
But after that, Sourav Ganguly (89 off 114) and Virender Sehwag added 202 runs for the second wicket. Sehwag smashed an 81-ball ton and scored 114 off 87, with 17 fours and three sixes. Yuvraj Singh (83 off 46) and Sachin Tendulkar (57* off 29) also played quick innings. As a result, India reached a massive total of 413/5. First time they did it. This was way too much for Bermuda, and they got all out for 156 runs and lost the game by 257 runs.
Australia (417/6) vs Afghanistan in 2015 ODI World Cup
India’s record was broken by Australia in the 2015 ODI World Cup at home, and they registered the highest World Cup total. It came in the 26th game of the tournament in Perth. After winning the toss, Afghanistan bowled first. Aaron Finch got out early for four runs. But David Warner and Steven Smith registered a 260-run stand in 34.3 overs. Smith got out after scoring 95 off 98 balls, and Glenn Maxwell came in.
Warner scored a 92-ball ton and reached 150 runs from 116 balls. On the other hand, Maxwell smashed a 21-ball fifty. Warner posted his second-best career score of 178 runs off 133 balls, with 19 fours and five sixes. Maxwell made a quick 88 off just 39 balls at a strike rate of 225.54. Australia made 417/6 in 50 overs. In response, Afghanistan were bowled out for 142 runs in 37.3 overs. Australia registered the biggest win margin in the World Cup with 275 runs.