Bangladesh refuses to play World Cup matches in India ^{CEFR B2}

The 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup dispute has become a high-profile clash of sport, security and diplomacy after Bangladesh refused to play matches scheduled in India. The disagreement began when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from their IPL 2026 squad for security reasons. Bangladesh officials said that decision raised doubts about the safety of an entire national team, support staff, journalists and thousands of supporters at a global event.

An independent ICC risk assessment, leaked and confirmed in January 2026, described the threat to the Bangladesh team as "moderate" and warned the risk to Bangladeshi nationals and supporters would be "moderate to high, particularly those wearing team colours and travelling in isolated groups to the stadium." The assessment also warned that "the presence of Mustafizur Rahman may be problematic if religious extremism becomes kinetically engaged." The ICC has said the risks are manageable and rejected Bangladesh’s interpretation as a "complete lie."

The wider political context complicates the issue. Relations have worsened since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India in August 2024 after a student-led uprising that ousted the Awami League Party. Since then there have been escalating tensions, violent incidents targeting Bangladeshi diplomatic facilities, and strict Indian visa rules that effectively bar ordinary Bangladeshi citizens. Local politics in West Bengal and the presence in Kolkata of many former Awami League figures, plus the city hosting three of Bangladesh’s four group matches, raise fears of demonstrations and political tension around the games. Bangladesh says it will not travel and insists that security and the dignity of its people come first.