The Cuban national baseball team, a historic powerhouse in international competition, is currently scheduled for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Group A, with games announced for San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, the question is who will take the field. Visa challenges, shaped by U.S.-Cuba relations and recent policy shifts, could limit the roster’s strength, particularly as top Cuban talent now plays globally.
Cuba’s baseball legacy is unmatched. With three Olympic gold medals and countless international titles, the sport is woven into the nation’s identity. Yet, the U.S. embargo and the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), impose strict limits on economic interactions with Cuba’s government, including those tied to events like the WBC, where revenue generation is a factor. While Cuba controls its roster decisions, these restrictions still pose logistical challenges, as players may need U.S. visas to enter Puerto Rico—a U.S. territory.
Visa issues have long complicated Cuba’s international sports participation. In 2006, the U.S. initially barred Cuba from the inaugural WBC, citing embargo rules, sparking global backlash. Threats of boycotts forced a reversal, allowing Cuba to compete—with stars like Yulieski Gurriel, Frederich Cepeda, and Pedro Lazo—and reach the final, where they lost to Japan.
The situation highlighted how politics can overshadow sport. More recently, visa denials under the current Trump administration have affected multiple international teams, from Cuba and Venezuela:
2025 Cuban Women’s Volleyball Team: Denied visas for the NORCECA Final Four in Puerto Rico.
2025 Cuban Men’s Basketball Team: Blocked from the FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers, also in Puerto Rico.
2025 Venezuelan Little League Team: Denied visas for the Senior League Baseball World Series in South Carolina.
These incidents reflect a broader immigration and foreign policy approach, where visa denials have aligned with political positions. While President Trump’s executive orders exempt the Olympics and World Cup from travel restrictions, other major sporting events are not automatically covered. Instead, participation is left to the discretion of the Secretary of State. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American and longtime advocate for tough sanctions on Cuba, has played a role in shaping policy direction. His hardline stance aims to increase pressure on the Cuban government.
Cuba’s roster-building has evolved. Between 2006 and 2017, defected players were not permitted on the WBC team, but a 2023 adjustment by Cuba allowed U.S.-based stars like Luis Robert Jr. (Chicago White Sox), Yoan Moncada (then with the White Sox), MLB veterans Andy Ibáñez, and Roenis Elías to join. For 2026, although Cuba has not officially confirmed the roster, an increasing number of U.S.-based players—including Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages, who is having a breakout season—along with minor leaguers, have expressed interest in representing the national team. Still, the roster will likely blend these players with Cuba-based athletes and coaches, many of whom could face visa hurdles.
The Cuban-American community is divided. Some oppose any team tied to Cuba’s government—as seen in the protests during the 2023 WBC in Miami when Cuba played Team USA—while others rally behind the players, separating sport from politics. Meanwhile, several Cuban-born and Cuban-American players, including MLB stars, hesitate to represent Cuba under its current regime. Some are exploring options to play for other eligible nations, further complicating roster decisions.
U.S.-Cuba relations have fluctuated. The Obama administration eased restrictions, fostering cooperation. The first Trump administration reversed this, tightening policies. The Biden administration softened some restrictions but retained many. The current Trump administration has reinstated a tougher stance, resulting in increased scrutiny for visa applications.
For Cuba, the WBC is a stage for national pride and global recognition. For the U.S., each visa decision weighs law, security, and diplomacy.
As the 2026 tournament approaches, the makeup of Cuba’s roster—whether filled with MLB players, prospects, or local talent—could not only depend on baseball decisions but on the broader political environment.