The International Cricket Council (ICC) has found itself embroiled in a fresh controversy just weeks ahead of the T20 World Cup. The dispute centres on the ICC’s relationship with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) and the rights of players, following criticism over Bangladesh’s exclusion from the tournament.
Tensions between the ICC and WCA have resurfaced over players’ individual rights, particularly regarding the use of names, images, and personal data, as well as the conditions under which players may participate in ICC events.
According to a report by ESPN Cricinfo, the WCA claims that the ICC has circulated new terms for the 2026 T20 World Cup that are inconsistent with the agreement signed between the two parties in 2024. The players’ organisation describes these proposed conditions as excessively “exploitative.”
The WCA has formally raised its concerns with the ICC, which has responded that the 2024 agreement applied solely to eight member boards. The remaining nations participating in the World Cup were not covered under this arrangement.
The eight boards included in the original agreement are:
| Board Country | 2024 Agreement Coverage? |
|---|---|
| Australia | Yes |
| England | Yes |
| New Zealand | Yes |
| South Africa | Yes |
| West Indies | Yes |
| Ireland | Yes |
| Netherlands | Yes |
| Scotland | Yes |
Bangladesh is notably absent from this list, having opted not to travel to India for matches, and its place is taken by Scotland. Among the remaining twelve participating nations, boards in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates do not recognise the WCA, leaving their players outside the organisation’s membership. Although players in Italy, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Namibia, the United States, and Canada are WCA members, as of 15 January they had yet to receive any formal conditions for the tournament. The WCA fears that the controversial terms issued to other players may be sent to them as well.
In a memo sent to players on 15 January, WCA Chief Executive Tom Moffat highlighted eight areas of discrepancy, including media obligations, dressing room access, use of personal data, commercial licensing, and legal dispute resolution.
At the heart of the dispute lies players’ right to consent. The 2024 agreement ensured that players could negotiate on their own behalf or through the WCA. Under the ICC’s new terms, this right is effectively removed, with boards empowered to make unilateral decisions.
For instance, the proposed terms grant ICC partners the right to use images of players—even collectively across teams—without prior consent, whereas the 2024 agreement placed strict limitations and required negotiation. Similarly, the ICC seeks to claim ownership of players’ biological and personal data for commercial purposes, a move opposed by the WCA, which asserts that players retain ownership and control. Perhaps most controversially, participation in the World Cup will be deemed acceptance of all terms, regardless of whether players have formally signed.
Moffat has described the ICC’s approach as an attempt to strip players of protections and “effectively own them,” targeting those with lower incomes or amateur status. While the WCA is not seeking to disrupt the tournament, Moffat warned that the new conditions could severely undermine players’ rights, particularly for financially vulnerable individuals for whom ICC events constitute a primary source of income.
As of this week, the ICC has yet to respond to the WCA’s latest correspondence. Representatives from Cricinfo have reached out to the council for comment, but no statement has been provided at the time of publication.