Bangladesh has declared that playing cricket in India is currently unsafe and remains firm in its demand to shift its World Cup matches to Sri Lanka. The country’s stance has created tension with the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has yet to decide whether Bangladesh can play its matches outside India. The tournament, scheduled to begin in February, now faces uncertainty as multiple teams encounter logistical and political obstacles.

The report highlights that India’s strict visa policy toward individuals born in Pakistan has affected more than 20 players from several countries, including the United States, Oman, Canada, and the Netherlands. These players, many of Pakistani origin, are struggling to obtain visas to enter India. The issue extends beyond Bangladesh’s security concerns, as several teams may be unable to field their best squads.

With only weeks remaining before the tournament, unresolved visa restrictions and safety concerns have raised doubts about India’s ability to host the event smoothly. The author suggests that the ICC consider moving the World Cup to a neutral venue to ensure fair participation and avoid further controversy.

Twenty-three members of the British Parliament from multiple political parties have called for the United States to be expelled from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to a BBC report cited in the source, the MPs argue that Washington’s recent military operations violate international law and undermine the sovereignty of other nations. The demand follows a U.S. raid in Caracas that reportedly led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as well as subsequent threats by President Donald Trump toward several countries.

The MPs, representing the Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green Party, and Plaid Cymru, signed a joint proposal urging FIFA and other global sports bodies to bar the U.S. from major tournaments. They stated that events like the World Cup or Olympics should not become tools for powerful states to disregard international law. The controversy comes shortly after Trump received a “Peace Award” from FIFA for his role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.

The call adds political tension ahead of the 2026 World Cup, for which the United States is one of the host nations alongside Mexico and Canada.

New Zealand defeated India by seven wickets in the second One Day International at Rajkot, leveling the three-match series 1–1. Chasing 285, the visitors reached 286 for three in 47.3 overs, securing victory with 15 balls to spare. Daryl Mitchell starred with an unbeaten 131 off 117 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes, while Will Young contributed 87 runs. The win marked New Zealand’s highest successful run chase in an ODI on Indian soil.

Earlier, India posted 284 for seven after losing the toss and being sent to bat at Niranjan Shah Stadium. Lokesh Rahul remained unbeaten on 112 from 92 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and one six, while opener Shubman Gill added 56 runs. For New Zealand, bowler Clark took three wickets for 56 runs.

With this emphatic win, New Zealand ended an eight-match losing streak against India and kept the series alive ahead of the final ODI.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Dhaka on the morning of January 14, 2026, as part of its global tour. The golden trophy was flown in by a special aircraft to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, accompanied by Brazilian football legend and 2002 World Cup winner Gilberto Silva. Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal received the trophy at the airport, joined by national team captain Jamal Bhuiyan, BIDA Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury, and NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan.

Following its arrival, the trophy was taken to the Radisson Blu Hotel in the capital. Only selected winners of Coca-Cola’s “Under the Cap” campaign were allowed to view and photograph the trophy between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The event was kept limited, with no public display, due to overall national circumstances. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in June and July.

The brief visit marked a rare opportunity for Bangladeshi football fans to witness the iconic trophy up close, even under restricted arrangements.

United States fast bowler Ali Khan has claimed that his visa application to enter India was rejected ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Pakistan-born cricketer shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo with a humorous caption implying he did not get the Indian visa but did get KFC. The tournament is set to begin in less than a month, and the US team is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in India, including one against the hosts in Mumbai on February 7.

Reports suggest that several Pakistan-origin players representing other countries have faced similar visa difficulties due to strained India-Pakistan relations. Ali Khan’s case has brought the issue into public attention. Since his debut in 2019, he has played 15 ODIs and 18 T20Is for the United States and is considered a key part of their pace attack, though the final squad has not yet been announced.

Social media discussions and reports indicate that other US players, including Shayan Jahangir, Ehsan Adil, and Mohammad Mohsin, may also face visa complications. The US cricket board may approach the ICC for assistance if the issue persists.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reaffirmed its decision not to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup matches scheduled to be held in India, despite repeated requests from the International Cricket Council (ICC). During an online meeting held yesterday, the ICC urged Bangladesh to reconsider its stance following the release of the tournament schedule. However, the BCB insisted that Bangladesh’s matches be hosted outside India, preferably in Sri Lanka, citing security concerns. The meeting ended without a resolution, and both parties are expected to meet again soon.

According to the BCB, two formal letters were previously sent to the ICC outlining security concerns and confirming the decision not to play in India. The ICC’s security assessment reportedly identified three areas of concern, reinforcing Bangladesh’s position. Government officials and BCB executives, including President Aminul Islam Bulbul and Vice Presidents Faruk Ahmed and Shakawat Hossain, participated in the meeting. BCB officials stated that their stance remains unchanged and that discussions with the ICC will continue.

The BCB maintains that the current security situation in India is inadequate for the Bangladesh team and supporters, and it awaits a positive response from the ICC regarding alternative arrangements.

Liverpool advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a commanding 4-1 victory over third-tier English side Barnsley at Anfield on January 13, 2026. Despite a major defensive error by midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai that led to Barnsley’s only goal, the home side maintained control throughout the match. Liverpool’s goals came from Dominik Szoboszlai in the ninth minute, Jeremie Frimpong in the 36th, Florian Wirtz six minutes before full time, and Hugo Ekitike in stoppage time.

Szoboszlai’s mistake occurred in the 40th minute when he attempted a back-heel pass near his own goal, losing possession to Barnsley’s Adam Phillips, who scored easily. Liverpool coach Arne Slot later commented that such errors should not happen in any competition or even in training, calling it a strange decision but declined to elaborate further.

The win secured Liverpool’s place in the next round of the FA Cup, overshadowing the midfielder’s blunder that had briefly given Barnsley hope.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) held a video conference with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) following two letters sent by the BCB. During the meeting, the ICC urged Bangladesh to reconsider its decision not to participate in the upcoming World Cup in India. Despite the appeal, the BCB maintained its firm stance against playing in India. The meeting was attended by BCB President Aminul Islam Bulbul, Vice Presidents Faruk Ahmed and Shakhawat Hossain, Cricket Operations Chairman Nazmul Abedin Fahim, and Chief Executive Officer Nizam Uddin Chowdhury Sujon.

In a press release, the BCB stated that the ICC’s request was made due to the limited time remaining before the tournament. However, the BCB reiterated its unchanged position, effectively ending the meeting without any resolution. Both parties agreed to meet again for further discussions and to reach a final decision.

The next meeting between the ICC and BCB is expected to determine the final outcome regarding Bangladesh’s participation and potential venue changes.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to relocate Bangladesh’s matches scheduled in India for the upcoming T20 World Cup, citing security concerns. In an official statement issued on January 12, 2026, the BCB confirmed that it is waiting for the ICC’s decision on the matter, as no formal response has yet been received from the global cricket authority.

The BCB also clarified a misunderstanding that arose from a recent comment by the Youth and Sports Ministry’s adviser, who mentioned communication from the ICC. According to the BCB, that communication was limited to a security assessment process for the Bangladesh team ahead of the tournament and was not an official reply to the venue change request. The board reiterated that its letter to the ICC specifically raised concerns about player safety and requested that Bangladesh’s matches be moved outside India.

As of now, the ICC has not issued any official response to the BCB’s request, leaving the final decision pending.

Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, clarified that the comments made by Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul regarding the International Cricket Council (ICC) were not based on a direct response from the organization. In a Facebook post on Monday, Azad Majumdar stated that the communication mentioned by the adviser was actually an internal ICC note assessing potential threats surrounding the T20 World Cup in India.

According to Azad Majumdar, the note was not an official reply to Bangladesh’s request to move its matches outside India. Earlier, Asif Nazrul had said at a press conference that ICC security officials had identified three factors that could heighten security risks for Bangladesh: the inclusion of player Mustafizur Rahman, fans wearing national team jerseys, and the approach of national elections.

Nazrul also mentioned that Bangladesh had sent two letters to the ICC and was awaiting a formal response. The clarification aimed to distinguish between an internal ICC assessment and an official communication regarding Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament.

Bangladesh’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup has become uncertain following an ICC letter citing security concerns. Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul told reporters in Sylhet on Monday that the ICC’s security division warned of potential risks to the Bangladesh team under specific conditions. According to him, the letter mentioned three factors that could heighten security threats: the inclusion of cricketer Mustafizur Rahman in the squad, Bangladeshi supporters wearing national flags or jerseys in public, and the approach of national elections.

Nazrul stated that the ICC’s security team identified these issues as reasons why Bangladesh might not be able to play its World Cup matches in India. He added that the ICC’s assessment clearly indicated that the situation in India was not suitable for Bangladesh’s participation. The remarks were made during a media briefing at the BFF building in Sylhet.

The development has cast doubt over Bangladesh’s involvement in the tournament, with officials awaiting further clarification from the ICC regarding the team’s security arrangements.

Bangladesh women’s football captain Sabina Khatun has expressed optimism as her team prepares to compete in the inaugural SAFF Women’s Futsal Championship in Thailand. Despite limited preparation, Sabina said she is determined to achieve success and make the country proud. The tournament will begin on Tuesday with the Maldives-India match, while Bangladesh will start their campaign against India on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Sabina acknowledged that futsal is new for her team but emphasized their belief in performing well. She described representing Bangladesh as a matter of pride and reaffirmed the team’s strong commitment to the competition. Iranian coach Saeed Khodarahmi, who leads the Bangladesh women’s team, said his goal is to guide them toward future futsal World Cup qualification.

Khodarahmi thanked the AFC, AFF, and SAFF for organizing the event, noting that this is the first SAFF futsal tournament for women in South Asia. He added that all teams are on a similar level since futsal is new to everyone, and Bangladesh had only one month to select players, most of whom are footballers.

Sri Lanka kept their T20 series alive by defeating Pakistan by 14 runs under the DLS method in the third and final match. The rain-affected game was reduced to 12 overs per side, with Pakistan set a target of 161 runs. The visitors fell short, finishing on 146 for eight wickets. Salman scored 45 runs, while Mohammad Nawaz and Khaja Nafi contributed 28 and 26 respectively. Wanindu Hasaranga starred with the ball, taking four wickets for Sri Lanka.

Earlier, Sri Lanka posted 160 runs for six wickets after a shaky start that saw them lose three wickets for 52 runs. Captain Dasun Shanaka scored 34 runs, and Kusal Mendis added 30. No other batsman crossed 22 runs. Mohammad Wasim took three wickets for Pakistan.

With this victory, Sri Lanka leveled the three-match T20 series 1-1 after Pakistan had won the opening match and the second was washed out by rain.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed interest in hosting Bangladesh’s matches in the 2026 T20 World Cup if Sri Lanka cannot provide venues. The proposal follows the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB) decision not to play its scheduled matches in India due to security concerns after pacer Mustafizur Rahman was dropped from the Indian Premier League (IPL) over similar issues. Pakistani media outlet Geo Super reported that the PCB has formally informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) of its readiness to organize the games.

The BCB earlier wrote to the ICC, citing safety worries and requesting to play in Sri Lanka instead of India. The ICC has yet to announce a decision. PCB sources said Pakistan’s international-standard venues are fully prepared and highlighted its experience hosting major ICC events, including the 2025 Champions Trophy and the Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Bangladesh’s withdrawal from India comes amid heightened tensions following protests in India over incidents in Bangladesh and the exclusion of Bangladeshi players from the IPL. The ICC’s response will determine whether Bangladesh’s matches are relocated to Sri Lanka or Pakistan.

Four major football nations—Brazil, France, Croatia and Colombia—will compete in a preparatory series titled 'Road to 26' ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The matches will be held in the United States during the FIFA international window, with games scheduled in Boston, Orlando and Washington, D.C. The series begins on March 26 when Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, face Didier Deschamps’ France at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Croatia will meet Colombia on March 27 in Orlando, followed by a France–Colombia match on March 29 in Maryland. The series concludes on April 1 with Brazil playing Croatia in Orlando.

Brazilian media reported that the five-time world champions will debut their 2026 World Cup kits during the March friendlies, wearing yellow against France and blue against Croatia. France and Croatia will also unveil new jerseys for the series. The Brazilian Football Confederation had earlier confirmed the match dates and venues after the World Cup group draw in December 2025.

The 48-team 2026 World Cup will begin on June 11 and end on July 19 across 16 venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Brazil will compete in Group C against Morocco, Haiti and Scotland.