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Cuba's participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic appears to be virtually guaranteed, including the essential permission from the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States (OFAC), a key requirement for the Cuban team to compete in an event organized by entities under U.S. jurisdiction.
This was confirmed by multiple sources to the specialized journalist Francys Romero, who specified on Facebook that the country is finalizing the final procedures.
According to Romero, the Cuban Baseball Federation recently submitted a preliminary roster of 50 players, featuring several prominent names from Major League Baseball, such as Andy Pagés, Andy Ibáñez, Yoan Moncada, Yariel Rodríguez - a case that raises suspicion - Daysbel Hernández, and Lázaro Estrada.
The presence of active players in MLB reflects the ongoing process of controlled openness that began for the 2023 Classic, albeit under strict government supervision.
Veto on Cuban Americans: the government's red line
Despite the apparent institutional green light, the government maintains clear limits on who can be part of the so-called "team Cuba." Romero confirmed that Cuban-American players, including the talented shortstop for the Los Angeles Angels, Zach Neto, did not receive authorization from high political authorities to be called up.
This pattern of political exclusion reflects that, while Havana has been forced to relax its relationship with the sports diaspora, it continues to deny access to athletes born or trained in the United States who could enhance the competitive level of the team. In other words, the selection remains a project managed not only based on sporting criteria but also from an ideological control perspective.
A promising roster, but limited by political decisions
The inclusion of MLB players could create one of the most talented Cuban teams presented in a World Baseball Classic in the last decade. However, the inability to add Cuban-American figures who have expressed their willingness to wear the Cuban jersey represents a hindrance to the team's true potential.
Meanwhile, the sports authorities are working to finalize all the formal requirements, which has historically been a crucial bureaucratic step for the participation of Cuban delegations in sports events organized from the United States.
Road to the Classic 2026
With the approval nearly assured and a pre-roster that blends established figures with young talents, Cuba is set to compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. However, once again, it will do so with a team shaped by decisions that go beyond the athletic realm.
The lingering question is whether the team can aspire to achieve a historic result despite the self-imposed limitations set by the government.
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