ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Bangladesh Yet to Confirm India Tour, Scotland Could Replace It in Group C Fixtures

Bangladesh's place in the ICC T20 World Cup remains unresolved, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) expected to make a final decision by 21 January. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made it clear that the team's participation is contingent on travelling to India for its scheduled matches.

If Bangladesh opts not to participate, Scotland is reportedly poised to replace them. The ICC T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is set to commence in just over three weeks.

ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Will Bangladesh Play in India?

Under the current tournament plan, Bangladesh remains in Group C alongside Italy, New Zealand, West Indies and Nepal. The ICC has resisted any proposals to change venues for Bangladesh, maintaining the original schedule. During recent discussions, ICC officials reportedly emphasised their position with a stark warning to the BCB: "Play in India or lose World Cup." Negotiations, however, are ongoing and no final resolution has yet been reached.

Bangladesh's Group C Fixtures in the ICC T20 World Cup

According to the existing schedule, Bangladesh is set to begin its Group C campaign against West Indies on 7 February at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Two further group matches are also scheduled at Eden Gardens, while the final Group C fixture for Bangladesh is set to take place at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. These matches will proceed only if the BCB confirms the team's participation in India.

BCB's Security Concerns and Requests for Venue Changes

During talks in Dhaka, BCB representatives expressed their willingness to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup but reiterated a preference for venues outside India due to security concerns. Officials cited ongoing political tensions between India and Bangladesh as the primary reason for requesting a revised match allocation in the tournament.

In response, the ICC stated that there is no specific threat to the Bangladesh squad in India. Independent risk assessments conducted by international security specialists rated the overall risk level as low to moderate. The reports indicated that there were no direct threats to Bangladesh players, support staff, or stadiums in Kolkata and Mumbai.

According to the ICC, the identified risks are manageable with standard security arrangements typically implemented at major international sporting events. ICC officials assured the BCB that Indian police, local organisers, and security agencies would effectively enforce these measures.

Despite these assurances, multiple meetings over the past three weeks have failed to yield an agreement acceptable to both sides. A key point of contention was the BCB's request to swap groups with Ireland, which would have moved Bangladesh into Group B and shifted their early matches to Sri Lanka. The ICC rejected this proposal, keeping Bangladesh tied to the original Group C schedule in India.

Scotland in Replacement Options if Bangladesh Withdraws From ICC T20 World Cup 2026?

Sources cited by ESPNCricinfo indicate that the next move now rests entirely with the BCB. If Bangladesh refuses to travel to India, the ICC is expected to replace them with another team. Based on current rankings and discussions, Scotland is considered the most likely replacement candidate.

With the opening match of the ICC T20 World Cup less than a month away, the schedule remains fixed, leaving Bangladesh under pressure to decide. The BCB's decision on 21 January will determine whether the team travels to India or withdraws from the tournament, ultimately confirming whether Group C will feature Bangladesh or Scotland when the event begins in India and Sri Lanka.