After weeks of waiting and numerous questions, the former star shortstop Germán Mesa was officially appointed this Thursday as director of the Cuba baseball team heading to the World Baseball Classic 2026.
According to the post on X from the JIT site, Mesa will also remain at the helm of the national team until 2028, as confirmed by the Cuban Federation of Baseball and Softball (FCBS) in a conference led by the highly scrutinized Juan Reynaldo Pérez Pardo, president of the organization.
In his initial statements, the manager expressed gratitude for the appointment and stated that he will begin his work immediately, with the Copa de las Américas in November being his first official commitment. It is expected that his work plan, as well as the coaching staff he will propose to the FCBS, will be made public soon.
Among their main responsibilities will be to contact professional Cuban players—both in Cuba and abroad—based on a prior assessment conducted by the Federation, as well as to define the training system and the critical path to various international tournaments.
His challenge, however, will be twofold: to convince the professional players to join the team and to compete at the highest level against powerhouses filled with Major League talent.
With teams like Japan, the United States, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic coming in as the top favorites, the preparation of the Cuban team will require thorough planning, strategic openness, and strong leadership, qualities that the former shortstop must demonstrate from the outset.
The biggest challenge: the World Classic 2026
Cuba has been placed in Group A of the VI World Baseball Classic, which will take place in March 2026, hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and what many experts are already calling "the group of death." The rivals in the group will be: Puerto Rico (host and favorite), Canada, Panama, Colombia.
All the rivals have players active in MLB and other high-level leagues, which promises an extremely competitive first round for the Cuban team.
Key dates of the tournament
Start of the tournament (Group B - Tokyo): March 5
Start of the rest of the 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 (where Japan was crowned in 2023)
Cuba in the selection structure by category
Germán Mesa will lead the senior team program, while other coaches will oversee the youth selections: Raúl Rodríguez Palacio (Havana, U-12 World Cup, from July 22 to August 3), Alexander Urquiola (Pinar del Río, U-15 Pan American, from September 6 to 11), Abeyci Pantoja (Las Tunas, U-18 World Cup, from September 5 to 14), and Danny Miranda (Ciego de Ávila, U-23 Pan American, from October 11 to 16).
Frequently asked questions about the 2026 World Baseball Classic and the Cuba team
Who will lead the Cuba team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
Germán Mesa has been appointed as the director of the Cuba team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He will be responsible for leading the team in this international competition and will remain in the position until 2028, as confirmed by the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS).
In which group will Cuba compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
Cuba will compete in Group A of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, alongside Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, and Colombia. This group has been labeled "the group of death" due to the high competitive level of the participating teams.
What are the key dates and venues for the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will begin on March 5, 2026 and will conclude on March 17 with the grand final at LoanDepot Park in Miami. The group phases will be held at different venues, with San Juan, Puerto Rico, serving as the host for Group A, where Cuba will compete.
What challenges will Team Cuba face in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
The Cuba team will face an extremely competitive initial round in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, being in the so-called "group of death" with teams that have players active in MLB. Additionally, they face the challenge of obtaining U.S. visas to enter Puerto Rico, which has been a difficulty in the past for Cuban delegations.
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