NewsICC and World Cricketers Association clash over player terms ahead of T20 World Cup
The ICC and the World Cricketers Association (WCA) are once again at odds, this time over the participation terms for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup. At the centre of the dispute lie name, image and likeness (NIL) rights, as well as broader questions about who has the final say on how cricketers are portrayed and compensated during the event.
Tom Moffat, the WCA’s chief executive, wrote to players on 15 January warning that the squad terms recently circulated by the ICC are “substantially different” from the version signed off by both bodies in 2024. He later told ESPNCricinfo that the new draft “removes player consent in key areas and hands control to national boards”.
According to the WCA memo, eight specific clauses ‒ covering media appearances, behind-the-scenes footage, dressing-room access, biological data, licensing, NIL, player agreements and dispute resolution ‒ differ markedly from the 2024 document. The players’ body argues those earlier terms are legally binding on all participants, whether or not their home boards formally recognise the WCA.
The ICC takes a different view. In its written response, seen by WCA members, the world governing body insisted the 2024 agreement “was limited to the eight National Governing Bodies that executed it”. Those boards are Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, Ireland, the Netherlands and Scotland (the latter replacing Bangladesh, who declined to travel to India). The remaining 12 competing boards – including those from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman and the UAE – either do not recognise the WCA or have not yet been asked to do so.
An ICC official added in correspondence: “The current squad terms are consistent with long-standing practice and ensure commercial certainty for all stakeholders.” The WCA disagrees, and Moffat’s tone reflects growing frustration. “We simply want the playing group to have the protections we all signed up to two years ago,” he said.
A flashpoint is NIL. The ICC’s latest draft states: “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.” By contrast, the 2024 agreement allowed individuals – collectively represented by the WCA – to negotiate each commercial use.
Those differences may appear technical, but they matter in an expanding, sponsor-driven tournament. The WCA says players could be obliged to appear in promotional material without prior approval or additional payment. The ICC counters that the terms merely formalise established practice, pointing out that boards are responsible for registering squads and, therefore, must have legal authority to licence images on their behalf.
Legal wrangling is now a live possibility. While neither side wishes to derail the World Cup itself, the WCA’s lawyers argue the 2024 terms constitute a binding collective agreement. “If necessary, we will pursue all options to enforce that agreement,” Moffat wrote.
Behind the scenes, some national board chiefs are urging compromise. A senior associate-member administrator, speaking on background, said: “Our players want clarity and to feel respected. They also want to play in a World Cup, so finding middle ground is essential.”
Time is short. Final squad lists are due in late February, and players are expected to sign participation terms shortly thereafter. Until both documents align, many will hesitate. One veteran international summed it up neatly: “We’re not asking the ICC for the moon. Just stick to what we all agreed.”
Whether that happens before the first ball is bowled remains to be seen, but for now the standoff places the spotlight firmly on cricket’s governance, and on the fine print that can determine how its biggest stars are showcased – and rewarded – on the global stage.
