The Cuban Baseball Federation confirmed his participation in the next World Classic while waiting for visas for the United States.
“After the signing of the agreement that establishes the terms between the organizers and the qualified national federations, Cuba will be present at the VI World Baseball Classic, which will take place from March 5 to 17, 2026,” we read in a press release published this Sunday.
In a diplomatic tone, the press release entrusts responsibility for assisting the regime’s team to American migration authorities.
“We hope that the American authorities will guarantee visas to confirm our presence at the tournament, without questions unrelated to the competition or contrary to the principles of sport intervening in this process,” they warn.
Likewise, the Federation explains that it was developed “an initial list of 50 players, including affiliates of the Major Baseball Leagues (MLB), the Japanese Professional Baseball League (NPB), other professional leagues and members of teams participating in the 64th National Series”.
In this sense, they also say they are waiting for “the authorizations that clubs must issue for players on the MLB circuit.”
“The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation is ready to move forward in building a competitive team that will have the privilege of representing the Cuban people in the most important international selection event, inspired by the history of our national sport,” they conclude.
Presence almost assured
Nevertheless, despite the tone of the press release from the Cuban authorities, Cuba’s participation in the World Baseball Classic 2026 appears virtually assured, including the essential permit from the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), key condition for the Cuban team to be able to compete in an event organized by entities under American jurisdiction.
Multiple sources have confirmed to specialist journalist Francys Romero that there will be no obstacles.
According to Romero, the Cuban Baseball Federation recently submitted a pre-list of 50 players, including several Major League names, such as Andy Pagés, Andy Ibáñez, Yoan MoncadaYariel Rodríguez – a case that arouses suspicion -, Daysbel Hernández and Lázaro Estrada.
The presence of active players in MLB testifies to the continuity of the controlled opening process initiated for the 2023 Classic, although under strict government supervision.
Veto to Cuban-Americans: the government’s red line
Despite the apparent institutional green light, the government maintains clear limits on who can be part of the so-called “Team Cuba.” Romero confirmed that Cuban-American baseball players, including talented Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto, did not receive permission from senior political authorities to be summoned.
This pattern of political exclusion reflects that although Havana has been forced to flex its relationship with the sporting diaspora, it continues to deny access to athletes born or trained in the United States who could raise the competitive level of the team. In other words, the selection remains a project managed not only according to sporting criteria, but also under ideological control.
A promising workforce, but limited by political decisions
The inclusion of MLB players could make for one of the most talented Cuban teams featured in a World Classic in the last decade. However, the inability to include Cuban-American figures who have expressed their desire to wear the Cuban jersey represents a brake on the real potential of the team.
Meanwhile, sports authorities are working to finalize all formal requirements, which have historically been a decisive bureaucratic step for Cuban delegations to participate in sporting events hosted from the United States.
Path to Classico 2026
With the endorsement practically assured and a pre-selection that mixes established figures and young talents, Cuba is preparing to compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. But it will do so, once again, with a team marked by decisions that transcend the athlete.
The question that remains in the air is whether the selection will be able to aspire to a historic result despite the limitations self-imposed by the government itself.
