T20 World Cup 2026: Scotland Could Replace Bangladesh if They Refuse to Play in India

The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7 across India and Sri Lanka, is facing a rare pre-tournament crisis as the possibility of Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland looms large. The dispute stems from ongoing political tensions between Bangladesh and India, which have spilled over into the cricketing world and raised serious questions about Bangladesh’s participation in the global event.

At the heart of the controversy is Bangladesh’s insistence that its group-stage matches be moved out of India, citing security concerns for its players and officials. These fixtures were originally scheduled in Indian cities including Kolkata and Mumbai, placing Bangladesh on Indian soil for the marquee tournament. Bangladesh’s stance was influenced by off-field developments, such as the exclusion of fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL 2026, which sparked diplomatic tensions between the nations.

Despite Bangladesh’s plea, the ICC Board met and rejected the request to relocate the matches, backing its original schedule. ICC officials stated that thorough independent security assessments showed no credible threats to players, officials, or fans at any of the Indian venues emphasizing that changing fixtures so close to the tournament could undermine the integrity and planning of future ICC events.

The ICC has reportedly issued a firm ultimatum to the BCB to confirm whether the Bangladesh team will travel to India to fulfill their obligations with only a short deadline to respond. Failure to comply with the ICC’s directive could result in Bangladesh being excluded from the T20 World Cup entirely.

If Bangladesh ultimately opts to stick to its stance and refuse to play in India, Scotland has emerged as the most likely replacement, according to media reports and rankings guidelines. Scotland, although not originally qualified for the tournament, is the highest-ranked side not participating in T20 World Cup 2026, making them a logical choice to fill the vacant spot in Group C, which includes teams like England, West Indies, Nepal, and Italy.

However, there are nuances to this potential switch. Latest reports indicate that no formal talks have yet taken place between the ICC and Cricket Scotland over a replacement role, and Scottish officials have expressed respect for Bangladesh’s situation by not initiating discussions directly with the governing body. This suggests that, while Scotland remains a strong candidate, the final decision could still be influenced by diplomatic or logistical considerations.

Meanwhile, the BCB has pursued last-ditch efforts to secure participation, with President Aminul Islam appealing to the Bangladesh government for support and hoping for an exceptional resolution from the ICC. Both players and officials reportedly want to play in the World Cup, even amid concerns about safety and tension.

The situation puts unprecedented pressure on the cricketing calendar just weeks before the tournament’s start, and its outcome could have long-standing implications for how geopolitics interacts with global sport governance. Whether Bangladesh relents and plays its matches as scheduled or Scotland steps in as a late entry remains one of the biggest stories in international cricket this year.