Sports Desk
DUBAI: The International Cricket Council has activated comprehensive contingency plans to safeguard all stakeholders at the 2026 T20 World Cup following escalating tensions in the Middle East that have disrupted global air travel.
On Saturday morning, the US and Israel exchanged missile strikes with Iran, prompting several countries in the region to close their airspace. The development has forced multiple international airlines to cancel flights or reroute journeys, creating uncertainty for cricket personnel traveling to and from the tournament.
ICC activates travel support systems
While confirming that the crisis has no direct bearing on the conduct of the tournament itself, the ICC acknowledged that a significant number of personnel face potential travel disruption. Players, team management, match officials, broadcast teams and event staff rely heavily on Gulf hub airports, particularly Dubai International Airport (DXB), as key transit points for onward travel to their home countries upon concluding their commitments at the event.
In an official statement, the ICC said its Travel and Logistics team is actively working with major international carriers to identify and secure alternative routing options. These include connections through European, South Asian and South-East Asian hubs as potential workarounds to the affected airspace.
Real-time monitoring and support
The governing body further stated that its security consultants are liaising with relevant authorities and will provide real-time advisories as the situation develops. A dedicated ICC Travel Support Desk has also been activated to assist stakeholders facing travel uncertainties.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is approaching its business end, with the last Super Eight fixtures scheduled for Sunday. The semi-finals are set for March 4 and 5, leading to the grand final on March 8.
Several teams have already completed their campaigns and are scheduled to depart, while others remain in contention for the knockout stages.
The ICC’s proactive measures aim to ensure that all participants can navigate the evolving geopolitical situation safely as the tournament reaches its climax.
