The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) confirmed this Saturday that Cuba will participate in the VI World Baseball Classicscheduled for March 5 to 17, 2026, after the signing of the official agreement with the tournament organizers.
In your public statementthe entity stressed that “it hopes that the US authorities will guarantee the visas that allow us to participate in the tournament”, a point that the Federation emphasized by asking that factors outside the sport not intervene.
According to the FCBS, an initial list of 50 eligible players has already been made, which includes players affiliated with the MLB, the Japanese Professional Baseball League, other professional leagues and athletes from the 64th National Series.
The Federation noted that awaits the permits that Major League clubs must grant to authorize the participation of their players.
Who will make up the Cuba team?
Although the Cuban authorities have not revealed the preselection, journalist Francys Romero reported, citing sources related to the tournament, that the roster includes several players who participated in the last MLB season, among them Andy Pagés (Dodgers), Andy Ibáñez (Tigres) and Yoan Moncada (Angelinos).
It also mentions pitcher Yariel Rodríguez, of the Toronto Blue Jays, who broke a contract in 2023 under the supervision of the FCBS with the Chunichi Dragons, of the Japanese league.
Cuba has been present in all editions of the Classic and reached its best result in 2006, when it reached the final against Japan.
Cuba and the Classic
In the most recent version of the tournament, the Federation authorized for the first time the inclusion of self-contracted players in professional leagues, allowing the debut of Moncada and Luis Robert Jr. on a team that finished in fourth place.
The Cuban team will begin its journey in group A, based in Puerto Rico, where it will compete with the local team and the teams from Canada, Panama and Colombia.
If he advances, he must travel to the United States to compete in the final stages of the competition.
The FCBS stated that it is ready to form “a competitive team” that represents Cuba “inspired by the history of our national sport.”
