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The director of Team Cuba, Germán Mesa, expressed his confidence this Thursday that the United States will grant the necessary visas for the national team to participate in the VI World Baseball Classic, scheduled for March 2026 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In statements to Reuters, Mesa assured that he maintains an optimistic outlook despite the complex political situation between Washington and Havana.
"Yes, I believe they will give us the visas... I am one of those who thinks positively and I don't believe a negative will happen," stated the former player while overseeing the training sessions at the Latinoamericano stadium.
Cuba will be part of Group A of the tournament, held in Puerto Rico, which requires players and coaching staff to obtain a U.S. visa in order to travel. Other groups will compete in Houston, Tokyo, and Miami.
Mesa also noted that, historically, the Cuban team has received visas for international events, although he acknowledged that the current context is particularly delicate.
The training sessions began with a preliminary selection made up solely of active players from the National Series and some contracted players in professional leagues such as Japan, amidst increasing absences of Major League figures.
The preparation for the Classic coincides with a moment of regional political tension, following the Trump administration's increase in pressure on Cuba's allied governments, such as Venezuela.
Among the key figures of the team is left-handed pitcher Liván Moinelo, who was named Most Valuable Player in the Japanese Pacific League in 2025.
"The Clásico is something we are looking forward to, and it’s for real... we are focused on improving our fourth place in 2023," commented Moinelo.
Cuba achieved its best historical result in the first World Baseball Classic in 2006, when it won the silver medal. Now, with a team in reconstruction and several absences, their participation will also depend on a key factor: U.S. immigration approval.
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