Scotland have officially been confirmed as participants in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, replacing Bangladesh after a dramatic off-field standoff ahead of the global event. The decision brings clarity just days before the tournament begins and ensures the competition proceeds without disruption.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled from February 7 to March 8, will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka and feature 20 teams competing across group stages and the Super 8 round.
What Happened: Bangladesh Out, Scotland In
The major development unfolded on Saturday, January 24, 2026, when Bangladesh were officially informed that they had been replaced in the tournament. Bangladesh had refused to travel to India for their scheduled matches, maintaining concerns despite repeated assurances and security assessments.
After a final deadline passed without a change in stance, the ICC moved forward with Scotland as the replacement to protect the tournament schedule. Scotland were next in line and ready to step in immediately.
This decision closed weeks of uncertainty and allowed organisers to keep venues, match timings, and group formats unchanged.
Read more: Scotland Probable Squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Scotland’s Place in the Tournament
With their inclusion, Scotland enter Group C, joining strong teams and stepping into a challenging but high-profile group. Scotland have experience at the T20 World Cup level and featured in recent editions, where they delivered competitive performances against top nations.
Updated Group C Teams
| Group C Teams |
|---|
| England |
| West Indies |
| Scotland |
| Italy |
| Nepal |
Scotland’s Group-Stage Match Schedule
Scotland will play four group matches, split between Kolkata and Mumbai, starting on the opening day of the tournament.
| 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 |
Why Scotland’s Entry Matters
Scotland’s inclusion adds fresh energy to the tournament and highlights the growing role of associate teams on the world stage. Group C now features a mix of established powers and emerging sides, making qualification battles tighter and more unpredictable.
For the ICC, the quick replacement ensured:
- No delay to the tournament start
- No reshuffling of venues
- Broadcast and ticket plans stayed intact
Watch: MS Dhoni Begins IPL 2026 Preparation, Net Practice Video
With the opening match set for February 7, Scotland now have a short turnaround to prepare, but also a rare opportunity to make a strong statement on cricket’s biggest T20 platform.
