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January 27, 2026 – Bangladesh –
A major dispute has emerged over media accreditation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with Bangladeshi journalists reportedly denied accreditation to cover the cricket tournament due to the Bangladesh team’s withdrawal and broader tensions surrounding the event. The tournament is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
According to reports from Bangladesh news outlets, the International Cricket Council (ICC) rejected the accreditation applications of nearly all Bangladeshi media personnel who had sought to cover the World Cup. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) officials said that between 130 and 150 journalists applied, but none were granted accreditation for the upcoming event. Some journalists reportedly received initial approvals that were later revoked, leading to confusion and outrage within the country’s sports journalism community. ([turn0search20])
The rejection of media access follows the decision by the Bangladesh national team to withdraw from the tournament, after the ICC denied Bangladesh’s request to shift its group-stage matches from India to Sri Lanka over security concerns. Bangladesh’s refusal to participate led to the team being replaced by Scotland in the competition, which intensified diplomatic and sporting tensions surrounding the event.
Bangladeshi journalists and media associations have described the accreditation denials as unprecedented and discriminatory, arguing that access should not be contingent on the national team’s participation. Veteran reporters criticised the ICC’s lack of transparent reasoning, noting that journalists from ICC associate member countries have historically received accreditation even when their teams did not compete in specific tournaments. The president of the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association said media representatives planned to consult with several press bodies before deciding their next steps.
In response to the uproar, the ICC stated that it is reviewing and “reworking” the media accreditation process for Bangladeshi journalists. Officials noted that changes in tournament schedules and the number of applications received required a revised approach, and they indicated that future accreditation may be handled on a case-by-case basis under updated procedures. This clarification aimed to address logistical concerns, though details of the revised mechanism have not been fully disclosed. ([turn0search23])
The controversy has spotlighted broader debates about equitable media access at major international sporting events, the role of governing bodies like the ICC in managing accreditation fairly, and the impact of geopolitical and administrative disputes on journalistic coverage of global competitions.
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