ICC faces fresh storm ahead of T20 World Cup

Ahead of the T20 World Cup (WC) 2026, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) have clashed over the squad participation terms that govern name, image and likeness rights and the use of player-related data.
The WCA’s complaint, as reported by ESPN Cricinfo, is that the ICC has circulated squad terms to the players from several countries that do not align with a 2024 version of the two bodies had agreed – and that the newer draft is more “exploitative”.
ICC has reportedly responded by saying the 2024 agreement was only applicable to right “Nation Governing Boards”, and that other World Cup participants were not bound by it. The WCA has countered that the 2024 agreement applies to all players affiliated with the global players’ body and should protect them regardless of board alignment. The WCA says the ICC version expands permissions and routes approvals through national boards, including licensing to third parties. The 2024 version restricted NIL use to ICC commercial partners and even hosts, with the WCA authorised to negotiate on behalf of players.