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The uncertainty surrounding Cuba's participation in the VI World Baseball Classic is palpable. While the other teams have already submitted their preliminary rosters of 50 players, the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) reported that it has not received the official call from Major League Baseball (MLB) to proceed with this process.
In an official statement released in recent hours, the FCBS stated that “the event organizers have indicated that, despite requesting it well in advance, they do not have the approval from the U.S. government to allow Cuba's participation.”
The Cuban entity described this situation as a discriminatory policy that violates the basic rights of its players.
The statement emphasizes that "the U.S. regulations preventing our athletes from participating in this event are contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship."
They also criticize that the entire process has been marked by an "unjustified delay that creates uncertainties and affects the technical process of forming" the Cuban payroll.
Beyond the sporting aspect, the federation interprets the delay as a political gesture: “Our country has been a victim of unjust, unequal, and politically motivated treatment, which is incompatible with the principles of respect, equity, and transparency that should govern any international competition.”
Cuba claims sports legitimacy
The document also asserts the trajectory and the right earned on the field by its players.
"Cuba does not ask for privileges. Cuban baseball players won, on the field, their right to participate in the VI World Baseball Classic. Our sports history, marked by Olympic achievements, world championships, and a pool of athletes admired globally gives us competitive legitimacy," they assert.
The Federation maintains that neither bureaucratic maneuvers nor political decisions can diminish the baseball passion of the island.
“The talent, passion, and commitment of Cuba to sports will not be bowed by bureaucratic maneuvers or political exclusions. We will continue to defend our athletes' right to represent Cuba on equal terms,” the statement concludes.
At the moment, there is no publication on the event's social media that confirms or denies Cuba's exclusion from the World Baseball Classic.
Political Reaction: Díaz-Canel Accuses the U.S.
Miguel Díaz-Canel spoke out in recent hours about the alleged exclusion of Cuba from the Classic.
“Once again, the U.S. punishes baseball. They have not approved Cuba's participation in the VI World Classic, while the other teams have already submitted their rosters. Unacceptable!”, he wrote on X.
"It is a political exclusion that undermines the spirit of sports. We deserve equal conditions,” he added.
The question remains: Has Cuba been excluded from the World Baseball Classic for political reasons? For the Cuban federation and the government itself, the answer is already affirmative.
What would the unexpected exit of Cuba from the Classic imply?
Cuba was set to compete in the Group A of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, alongside Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, and Colombia.
This group has been referred to as "the death group" due to the high level of competition among the participating teams. All the rivals feature players active in MLB and other top leagues, which suggested an extremely competitive first round for the Cuban team.
In June, it was announced that Germán Mesa had been appointed as the manager of the Cuba team for the World Baseball Classic next year.
In his initial statements, the manager expressed gratitude for the appointment and affirmed that he would begin his work immediately, with the Americas Cup in November as his first official commitment.
Among their main responsibilities would 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 towards the various international tournaments.
With 20 teams called up, the 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled to begin on March 5, 2026 and conclude on March 17, with the grand final at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
The group stages will be held at different venues, with San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the host for Group A, where Cuba will compete.
Key dates of the tournament
Tournament start (Group B - Tokyo): March 5th.
Start of the rest of the groups: March 6.
Quarter-finals: 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).
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