4
Havana, December 8 (RHC) – Cuba has confirmed its participation in the VI World Baseball Classic, following the receipt of the necessary authorization and the signing of the agreement that regulates the presence of qualified national federations.
The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) announced that the national team will compete in the tournament scheduled for March 5-17, 2026, with venues in the United States, Japan, and Puerto Rico.
According to the federation, a preliminary roster of 50 players has already been compiled, comprised of athletes affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB), Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), other professional leagues, and players currently active in the 64th Cuban National Series.
In accordance with established procedures, Cuba is awaiting permission from the clubs for the players affiliated with the MLB system. It expects U.S. authorities to guarantee the corresponding visas, “without any issues unrelated to the competition or contrary to the principles of sport.”
After weeks of uncertainty, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) granted the necessary authorization for Cuba’s participation, an essential step for MLB to formalize the invitation.
The Caribbean squad will compete in Group A, based at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, alongside the hosts, Canada, Panama, and Colombia. Organizers require a preliminary list of 50 names—already submitted by the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCBS)—which must be reduced to 28 by March.
The World Baseball Classic will feature 20 teams: 16 qualified based on their results in 2023 and four from the 2026 qualifying tournament. Japan, the current champion, will defend its title in an event featuring group stages in Miami, Houston, San Juan, and Tokyo, with the final round in Miami.
Cuba has participated in every previous edition and achieved its best result in 2006, when it finished as runner-up to Japan. In the 2023 edition, it reached fourth place, with the inclusion, for the first time, of players signed independently to professional leagues.
For the next tournament, the Cuban Handball Federation (FCBS) has announced that it is ready to assemble a competitive team to represent the country, drawing inspiration from the history of Cuban handball.
