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The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio could veto the participation of the Cuban team in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) if he deems it not to be a “major event.”
“Any athlete or member of a sports team —including coaches, personnel performing a necessary support role, and immediate family members— traveling for the World Cup, Olympic Games, or another major sporting event determined by the Secretary of State,” said this week a spokesperson for the Department of State contacted by Pelota Cubana USA.
"It is exempt from the suspension under section 212(f). The exemption does not apply to fans or spectators. The Secretary of State has the authority to determine which other major sporting events will be exempt," he added.
In this way, the participation of the Cuban team in the event depends on whether Rubio believes that the WBC meets the established criteria to be recognized as a major sporting event.
A potential entry ban would fall under section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the President of the United States the authority to suspend the entry of foreigners if it is determined that their admission would be detrimental to the country's interests, explains the independent media.
Pelota Cubana USA recalls the recent entry bans to the U.S. that have prevented Cuban teams from participating in regional tournaments.
In February of this year, the men's basketball team was unable to travel to Puerto Rico for a FIBA window, while in June, the women's volleyball team missed out on the Final Four of Norceca despite having qualified.
They also explain that, as reported by Politico, the Trump Administration will allow Iran and Haiti's participation in the FIFA World Cup, countries with entry immigration restrictions to the U.S., due to it being a major sporting event.
The participation of the so-called “Team Asere” still depends on the approval of the visa and license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, a process that, according to sources related to the event, should be resolved at the beginning of December.
Cuba aims to return to the elite of international baseball in this 2026 World Baseball Classic, following its impressive performance in the previous edition, when it reached the semifinals for the first time since 2006.
If the authorization is finally confirmed, two exhibition games are planned in Arizona that will serve as a key evaluation of the national roster and will allow for an assessment of the team's preparation level against players of the highest professional caliber.
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 taking place at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
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