The International Cricket Council (ICC) is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and has activated comprehensive contingency plans to safeguard the travel, logistics and well-being of all stakeholders associated with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, currently underway in India and Sri Lanka.
An air travel crisis has erupted in the Middle East after the US and Israel exchanged missile strikes with Iran on Saturday morning. Major airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar have all been closed until further notice.
Iranian state television confirmed the death of their supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei early on Sunday morning, which sparked a new wave of retaliatory missile strikes from Tehran.
“While the crisis in the Middle East has no direct bearing on the conduct of the tournament, the ICC acknowledges that a significant number of personnel – including players, team management, match officials, broadcast teams, and event staff – rely on Gulf hub airports, particularly Dubai (DXB), as key transit points for onward travel to their home countries upon concluding their commitments at the event,” an ICC statement said.
“The safety and well-being of every individual connected to our event is the ICC’s highest priority.
“We have already mobilised our travel, logistics and security teams, and are working around the clock to ensure that all stakeholders can return home safely, with minimal disruption.
“We would also urge fans who have travelled or were planning to travel for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to monitor closely and adhere to advisories being issued and consider all factors before undertaking any further international travel.”
The statement also said it has put measures in place with the ICC Travel and Logistics team actively working with major international carriers to identify and secure alternative routing options, including connections through European, South Asian and South-East Asian hubs.
The ICC 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.
The Proteas face Zimbabwe in their final Super Eights match on Sunday in Ahmedabad before their semifinal next week against England or New Zealand.
