Scotland will officially replace Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, confirming one of the biggest developments ahead of the global tournament. The decision comes after Bangladesh refused to travel to India for their scheduled matches, citing security concerns, despite repeated assurances from the tournament organisers.
The T20 World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, 2026, featuring 20 teams and a long group-stage format followed by the Super 8s.
Why Bangladesh Are Out of T20 World Cup 2026
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) maintained a firm stance that their team would not travel to India for World Cup matches. They requested their fixtures to be shifted out of India, but this proposal was rejected after multiple meetings and security reviews.
Key points behind Bangladesh’s exit:
- Bangladesh declined to play matches scheduled in India
- ICC rejected the request to relocate matches to Sri Lanka
- A formal deadline was given to confirm participation
- Bangladesh chose to boycott the tournament
After the deadline passed, the ICC moved forward with a replacement to avoid disruption to the schedule.
Scotland Officially Step In as Replacement
With Bangladesh out, Scotland have been confirmed as the replacement team for the T20 World Cup 2026. Scotland were next in line based on tournament eligibility and rankings and were already prepared to step in if required.
Scotland have previously featured in multiple T20 World Cups and impressed in recent editions, narrowly missing out on Super 8 qualification despite strong performances against top teams.
This replacement ensures:
- No change to the tournament start date
- No reshuffle of groups beyond a single-team swap
- Minimal disruption to venues and broadcasters
Updated T20 World Cup 2026 Groups
With Scotland replacing Bangladesh, Group C has been officially updated.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| Group A | India, Pakistan, Netherlands, USA, Namibia |
| Group B | Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman |
| Group C (Updated) | England, West Indies, Scotland, Italy, Nepal |
| Group D | South Africa, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada, UAE |
Scotland’s Group C Match Schedule
Scotland will play all their group-stage matches in India, split between Kolkata and Mumbai.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 7, 2026 | Scotland vs West Indies | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Feb 9, 2026 | Scotland vs Italy | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Feb 14, 2026 | England vs Scotland | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Scotland vs Nepal | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
Impact on the Tournament
Scotland’s inclusion adds a fresh dynamic to Group C and gives associate cricket another major spotlight on the world stage. With strong teams like England and West Indies in the group, Scotland will have an opportunity to test themselves at the highest level under global attention.
Read more: Bangladesh Bans IPL 2026 Broadcast After Mustafizur Rahman
For the tournament organisers, the swift replacement has ensured:
- Match calendar remains intact
- Venues and ticket schedules unchanged
- Broadcast planning unaffected
The Scotland-for-Bangladesh swap closes one of the most dramatic chapters in T20 World Cup history before a ball has even been bowled. With the opener set for February 7, the focus now shifts firmly back to cricket.
As the countdown begins, the T20 World Cup 2026 promises intense rivalries, packed stadiums, and high-stakes action — with Scotland now firmly part of the story.
