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The Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman will not participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with the Great Britain team, as revealed by journalist Francys Romero on Facebook.
According to the insider on their social media, the closer —winner of the MLB Reliever of the Year award in 2025— was unable to meet the eligibility requirements necessary to join the British team in the tournament.
“Unfortunately, Aroldis Chapman will not be playing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with Great Britain… he could not meet the eligibility requirements,” wrote Romero.
A plan that cannot be realized
Chapman had been mentioned as a potential high-impact addition for Great Britain, which is looking to strengthen its pitching ahead of the Classic.
However, the tournament rules require specific criteria regarding family ties or citizenship, which would have prevented their participation with that country.
Key figure in Major League Baseball
Aroldis Chapman, one of the most recognized relief pitchers of the last decade and a future Hall of Famer, has just had an outstanding 2025 season in MLB, where he was named the best reliever of the year.
Her absence represents a significant blow to any aspirations of the British team to compete at a higher level in the international tournament.
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