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The groups for the VI World Baseball Classic, which will take place in March 2026, have been defined, and the Cuban team will face an extremely competitive first round within what many are calling “the death bracket.”
According to ESPN, the host Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, and Colombia will join the Cuban team in group A, which will be played in San Juan, where none of the opponents will be easy, based on recent international performances and the presence of players in various leagues worldwide.
In a shift from what has happened recently, the so-called "Team Asere" was based in the Asia area, now Puerto Rico will be the host -and favorite-, while Canada and Colombia arrive with rosters filled with MLB talent.
The last four qualified teams —Colombia, Brazil, Nicaragua, and Chinese Taipei— recently filled the available spots for the group stage.
Is Cuba's presence guaranteed?
Although it may seem like an out-of-place question, it makes perfect sense, as the Cuban national team will require a U.S. visa to enter Puerto Rico.
It is important to recall that less than a week ago, the Cuban Athletics Federation reported that the U.S. Embassy in Havana denied visas to part of its delegation, which prevented their participation in the 2025 Masters Indoor World Championship held in Gainesville, Florida.
In a statement released on the official site JIT, the federation reported that the visa refusals impacted nearly the entire delegation, preventing their participation in the event, which took place from March 23 to March 30.
In addition, in February, the United States government revoked visas for dozens of Cuban officials and temporarily suspended applications in various categories, many of which are used by state representatives from sectors such as culture, health, education, science, and sports.
Dozens of passports were returned without being stamped, and the processing of visas in diplomatic and official categories was halted, directly affecting state agencies.
One of the most recent cases was that of the national basketball team, which was unable to travel to Puerto Rico to play its last match in Group D of the qualifying round for the FIBA AmeriCup 2025. Only two players had received their visas, which forced the cancellation of the game.
The groups for the 2026 World Classic are as follows:
Group A (San Juan, Puerto Rico): Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, Colombia
Group B (Houston, Texas): United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil
Group C (Tokyo, Japan): Japan, South Korea, Australia, Czech Republic, Chinese Taipei
Group D (Miami, Florida): Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua
Key dates of the tournament:
Tournament start: March 5 (Group B, in Tokyo)
Start of the remaining groups: March 6
Quarterfinals: March 13 and 14 (Houston and Miami)
Semifinals: March 15 and 16 (Miami)
Final: March 17 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, the same venue where Japan was crowned champion in March 2023.
Favorites and big names on the radar
Without a doubt, Japan, with figures like Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki, among many other outstanding players, will seek to defend its title. The United States hopes to have its revenge, and to this end, it can choose from several of the best players in the world. Meanwhile, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic stand out as major contenders.
Frequently asked questions about the 2026 World Baseball Classic and Cuba's participation
Why is the Cuba team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic considered the "group of death"?
The Cuban team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic is regarded as the "group of death" due to the presence of highly competitive teams such as Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, and Colombia. Each of these teams boasts standout players and has performed well in recent international competitions, making it challenging for any selection within this group to advance.
What challenges does Cuba face in participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
Cuba faces the challenge of obtaining the necessary visas to enter Puerto Rico, the host of its group in the tournament. The previous denial of visas by the United States to Cuban delegations has raised concerns about the possibility of the Cuban team being unable to participate. This situation has already impacted other Cuban sports teams in international events.
Which Major League players could join the Cuban team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
The outfielder Andy Pagés, from the Los Angeles Dodgers, has expressed his desire to join the "Team Asere" for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. His inclusion will depend on the approval of his organization in Major League Baseball. The Cuban Baseball Federation is also in talks with other prominent players like Andy Ibáñez and Yoan Moncada.
When and where will the 2026 World Baseball Classic take place?
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place from March 5 to 17. The group stage matches will be held in venues such as San Juan, Houston, Tokyo, and Miami, while the final will be held at LoanDepot Park in Miami on March 17.
How will the teams advancing to the next phase of the 2026 World Baseball Classic be determined?
In the 2026 World Baseball Classic, each team will face the other four teams in its group once. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will compete in a crossover format: the first-place team from one group will play against the second-place team from another. The winners of this stage will move on to the semifinals, and ultimately, the champion will be determined in the grand final.
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