ICC vs World Cricketers Association: Jay Shah-led body dragged into fresh controversy ahead of T20 World Cup
Published - 31 Jan 2026, 09:51 AM | Updated - 31 Jan 2026, 11:34 PM
A fresh dispute has started 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 before the global tournament.
The upcoming ICC tournament will feature 20 teams competing for the trophy, with India and Sri Lanka hosting the event together. India enter the competition as the defending champions. Pakistan will face the Netherlands in the opening match at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Saturday, February 7.
WCA Raises Objections Over ICC Player Terms Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the World Cricketers Association has raised concerns over the squad participation terms shared by the ICC with players from several countries. The players’ body stated that these terms do not match a version both sides had agreed to and signed in 2024.
According to the WCA, the new terms are more exploitative than the document finalised in 2024. The WCA formally wrote to the ICC to flag the issue.
In reply, the ICC rejected the accusation and clarified its position. The ICC stated that the 2024 agreement applied only to eight member boards, also known as National Governing Boards (NGBs). The ICC further explained that the remaining teams in the World Cup were not covered under the agreement.
WCA Seeks ICC Clarity Over Player Terms Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Eight National Governing Boards (NGBs) are Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland.
Out of the remaining 12 teams in the T20 World Cup, boards from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman, and the UAE do not recognise the World Cricketers Association, which means their players are not affiliated with it.
Italy, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Namibia, the USA, and Canada have player bodies, but they had not received the squad participation terms as of January 15. The WCA said these teams were likely to receive the non-approved version.
The WCA pushed back against the ICC’s stance, saying the 2024 agreement applies to all players linked to the association. The WCA sent a memo to players on January 15, calling the ICC’s terms “substantially different,” and also emailed the ICC the same day. Notably, the ICC has not responded so far.
WCA Flags Key Differences Between 2024 Player Agreement and ICC Squad Terms
WCA CEO Tom Moffat has flagged major differences between the 2024 agreement and the ICC’s new squad terms, identifying eight key areas, including media content, player data, licensing, NIL rights, and dispute resolution.
The WCA stated that the earlier deal allowed players to decide and negotiate through the players’ body, while the ICC’s version removes the need for player consent and shifts control to national boards.
In the ICC's new version, "the player is required to license their NIL to any third party; 3 players from the same team can be used by an ICC Partner for commercial content which can directly relate to the promotion of the Partners brand or product; the player's national board approves all use of NIL on behalf of the player; Any use of NIL outside of the Squad Terms can be agreed by the player's national board."
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Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
