World Baseball Classic: Cuba Faces Visa Issues Ahead of Tournament

World Baseball Classic: Cuba’s Participation Threatened by Visa Denials

Published: February 26, 2026

The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation is facing a significant hurdle ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Eight members of the Cuban delegation, slated to travel to Puerto Rico for the tournament, have been denied visas by U.S. authorities. Despite this setback, Major League Baseball (MLB) officials remain optimistic that Cuba will participate in the 20-team competition, which begins on March 5th.

Impact on the Cuban Team

Cuba is grouped in Pool A alongside Canada, Panama, Colombia, and the host nation, Puerto Rico. All Pool A games will be held at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. The visa denials include prominent figures such as Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, the federation president, Carlos del Pino Muñoz, its secretary general, and, crucially, Cuban baseball icon Pedro Luis Lazo.

Lazo, 52, is a decorated athlete with a remarkable career. A four-time Olympian, he secured gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Games and the 2004 Athens Games. He also holds the record for the most wins in the Cuban National Series, with an impressive 249 victories. His planned role as the team’s pitching coach adds to the significance of his visa denial.

Fortunately, a source speaking to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale has confirmed that all Cuban players have received the necessary visas to participate in the World Baseball Classic.

Pre-Tournament Preparations Continue

Despite the visa issues, Cuba is scheduled to play exhibition games against Major League Baseball teams, the Kansas City Royals and the Cincinnati Reds, as part of their preparation for the World Baseball Classic. These games will provide valuable experience against professional competition.

Political Context and Cuban-American Relations

The team’s arrival in the U.S. occurs during a period of heightened tension in Cuban-American relations. A recent executive order from President Donald Trump has effectively imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, leading to severe fuel shortages. This shortage has resulted in school and business closures, disruptions to hospital services, and widespread blackouts across the island. Several international airlines, including Air Canada, have suspended flights to Cuba due to the fuel crisis.

Further exacerbating tensions, Cuba reported that its soldiers killed four individuals and wounded ten others on a U.S.-registered speedboat that allegedly opened fire. The Cuban government claims the passengers were Cuban expatriates residing in the U.S. attempting to infiltrate the island.

Looking Ahead to the World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic promises to be an exciting tournament, and despite the challenges, Cuba remains determined to compete. The situation surrounding the visa denials is a developing story, and its impact on the team’s performance remains to be seen. Fans around the world will be watching closely to see how Cuba navigates these obstacles and performs on the field.