A fresh dispute has erupted between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026. The two bodies are at loggerheads over player terms, including name, image and likeness (NIL) rights just ahead of the global tournament.
20 teams will compete for the trophy in the upcoming ICC tournament, with India and Sri Lanka co-hosting the event. India is entering the competition as the defending champions. Pakistan will face Netherlands in the opening match at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo on Saturday, February 7.
WCA objects to ICC player conditions ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the World Cricketers’ Association has raised concerns over the team participation terms shared by the ICC with players from several countries. The players’ body said these terms do not match the version that both sides had agreed to and signed in 2024.
According to the WCA, the new terms are more exploitative than the document finalized in 2024. The WCA had written to the ICC to formally raise the issue.
In response, the ICC rejected the allegation and clarified its position. The ICC said the 2024 agreement only applies to eight member boards, also known as National Governing Boards (NGBs). The ICC further explained that the remaining teams in the World Cup are not covered under this agreement.
WCA seeks clarity from ICC on player conditions ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
The eight National Governing Boards (NGBs) are Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland.
Of the remaining 12 teams in the T20 World Cup, the boards of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman and UAE do not recognize the World Cricket Association, which means their players are not affiliated with it.
Italy, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Namibia, the United States and Canada have player bodies, but they had not received terms of participation in the team as of January 15. The WCA said these teams were likely to receive non-approved versions.
The WCA opposed the ICC’s stance, saying the 2024 agreement applies to all players associated with the association. The WCA sent a memorandum to players on 15 January describing the ICC terms as “substantially different” and also emailed the ICC the same day. It is worth noting that ICC has not yet given any reaction on this.
WCA marks key differences between 2024 player agreement and ICC squad conditions
WCA CEO Tom Moffatt has flagged major differences between the 2024 agreement and the ICC’s new team terms, identifying eight key areas including media content, player data, licensing, void rights and dispute resolution.
The WCA said the earlier deal had allowed players to make decisions and negotiate through the players’ body, while the ICC’s version removes the need for player consent and transfers control to national boards.
In the new version of the ICC, “Players are required to license their NIL to a third party; 3 players from the same team may be used by an ICC partner for commercial content that may directly relate to the promotion of the partner brand or product; the player’s national board approves all use of the NIL on the player’s behalf; any use of the NIL outside of the squad terms may be agreed by the player’s national board.”
Also read: “A little pressure because of Ishan Kishan” – Shocking claim of Sanju Samson’s childhood coach before T20 WC
