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The national team of Cuban football was eliminated on Tuesday from the Concacaf qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, after losing 1-2 to Bermuda in Santiago de Cuba.
The result is a severe blow to the team's aspirations, which was seeking to advance to the final stage of the qualifying process for the first time in 44 years.
Early goal, strategy of attrition
The visiting team took advantage of the Cuban complacency from the first minute. Six minutes in, Djair Parfitt-Williams opened the scoring, catching an unplugged defense off guard, according to JIT.
With the advantage in hand, Bermuda opted to relinquish a proactive game and chose to slow down the match and disrupt the rhythm, a strategy that worked for them throughout the first half.
The Cuban coach Yunielys Castillo, who did not have the goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena, due to fears of new immigration laws in the U.S., attempted to react with offensive changes at the start of the second half. The introduction of William Pozo and Marcos Campos revitalized the attack, and in the 58th minute, Jorge Aguirre scored his first goal with the senior national team, igniting the stands and inspiring hope.
Penalty goal and elimination
However, the momentum didn't last long. A tactical shift to a five-man defense—aiming to protect the draw that was enough—failed to hold the result. A defensive error left veteran Reggie Lambe alone in front of goalkeeper Yurdy Hodelín, and the striker did not miss: 2-1 in the 74th minute.
Despite a good attitude at the end of the match, the Tricolor was unable to equalize and saw their World Cup dream slip away.
Reactions and Future
"I take away the attitude of my teammates and their willingness to go for the win, but that's football. Today we faced defeat," declared defender Carlos Vázquez "Cavafe" to JIT.
"The competition in the qualifiers is over, but we must recover from this hard blow and move forward with our heads held high," he added.
The elimination leaves a bitter taste and forces self-reflection. The coaching staff and the Cuban Football Federation will need to think about what happened: what was lacking? what was excessive? what mistakes were decisive?
The defeat marks the end of a cycle, but it also presents an opportunity to rebuild trust, the project, and the commitment to the development of Cuban football.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Elimination from the 2026 World Cup
Why was the Cuban football team eliminated from the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup?
Cuba was eliminated after losing 1-2 to Bermuda in a decisive match in Santiago de Cuba. The Cuban team was unable to maintain the draw they needed to advance, due to a defensive error that allowed Reggie Lambe to score the winning goal for Bermuda.
What impact does the elimination of Cuba have on soccer in the island?
The elimination represents a harsh blow to Cuban football, which has not managed to progress to the final phase of the qualifying process in 44 years. The defeat forces a deep reflection on the team's future and strategy, as well as the need to rebuild the football project on the island.
How did U.S. immigration laws affect the Cuban team?
Goalkeeper Raiko Arozarena withdrew from participating in the match against Bermuda due to concerns about the new U.S. immigration laws, which impose travel restrictions on Cuban citizens. This absence impacted the team's preparation and performance in a crucial match.
What tactical errors contributed to Cuba's defeat against Bermuda?
Cuba adopted a tactical shift to a five-defender line to secure a draw that was enough to progress. However, this strategy failed to maintain the result, and a defensive error allowed Bermuda to score the winning goal, sealing Cuba's elimination.
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