Bangladesh’s 2026 T20 World Cup Participation Decision Due by January 21

A final decision on Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, including whether the team will travel to India for the tournament, is expected by January 21, according to sources familiar with discussions between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

ESPNcricinfo reported that the ICC set the deadline during meetings held in Dhaka on Saturday, the second round of talks between the two sides within a week. During the discussions, the BCB reaffirmed its willingness to take part in the World Cup but insisted that Bangladesh should not play its matches in India, citing security concerns.

The ICC, however, has maintained its position that the tournament schedule will not be altered. Under the existing fixture plan, Bangladesh are placed in Group C and are scheduled to play their opening match against West Indies in Kolkata on February 7, followed by two more group matches at the same venue and a final group game in Mumbai.

The deadlock has continued for nearly three weeks since the BCB first raised its objections on January 4. The ICC reportedly rejected a proposal to move Bangladesh to Group B by swapping places with Ireland, whose group matches are scheduled in Sri Lanka. While Sri Lanka is co-hosting the tournament and has been suggested as an alternative venue by the BCB, the ICC has so far declined to revise the match locations.

According to officials familiar with the matter, the ICC has assured the BCB that there is no specific security threat to the Bangladesh team. An advisory prepared by an independent security agency categorized the overall threat level in India as “medium to high,” but did not identify any direct or targeted risk to visiting teams.

Sources indicate that the ICC will now wait for the BCB’s final position. If Bangladesh ultimately refuses to travel to India, the ICC is likely to replace them with another team, with Scotland currently the leading candidate based on international rankings.

The dispute originated after Mustafizur Rahman was removed from the Kolkata Knight Riders squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League on instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), without an official explanation. In response, the Bangladesh government banned the broadcast of the IPL in the country, and the BCB formally informed the ICC of its refusal to play World Cup matches in India.

With the tournament’s opening less than three weeks away, the January 21 deadline is expected to be crucial in determining Bangladesh’s participation and the final composition of the World Cup lineup.