Travel Disruptions for Teams
The ongoing crisis across the Gulf region has resulted in significant travel delays for teams participating in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The West Indies and South Africa squads have been stranded in India for over a week following their respective exits from the tournament.
West Indies exited the competition on March 1, 2026, while South Africa’s campaign concluded on March 4, 2026. Despite their early departures, both teams have faced logistical challenges in returning home due to cancelled and rerouted flights stemming from the war in the Middle East.
Cricket West Indies reported that its squad waited nine days for a charter flight that was repeatedly delayed. Nine members of the West Indies team had already started their journey back to the Caribbean, but the remaining 16 members were still booked on flights departing India within 24 hours.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has stated that all members of the South Africa contingent are expected to leave within 36 hours. The ICC emphasized that travel arrangements were made with a focus on safety, feasibility, and the welfare of the players and staff.
ICC officials acknowledged the frustration felt by players, coaches, and support staff regarding the delays. “We understand that players, coaches, support staff and their families who have completed their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns are anxious to return home,” an ICC representative stated.
Furthermore, the ICC reassured that they would not move individuals until they were satisfied that the travel solutions in place were safe. They expressed that suggestions otherwise from uninformed sources were unhelpful and incorrect.
In a related development, the Iranian women’s football team recently arrived in Malaysia after receiving humanitarian visas from Australia. This move was prompted by safety concerns regarding their return to Iran, particularly after some players faced backlash for not singing the national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup.
As the situation evolves, the focus remains on ensuring the safe return of all teams affected by these travel disruptions. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further developments in the travel arrangements for the stranded teams.