Cuba expects to receive U.S. visas to attend 2026 World Baseball Classic

Germán Mesa, director of Team Cuba, expressed confidence that U.S. authorities will issue the visas needed for Cuba to travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and compete in the VI World Baseball Classic in March 2026. The team’s ability to reach Puerto Rico hinges on U.S. immigration approvals because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and players and coaching staff must hold U.S. visas to enter.

Mesa spoke while overseeing training sessions at the Latinoamericano stadium and said he remained upbeat despite geopolitics, saying, “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.” Cuba is assigned to Group A, with other tournament sites set for Houston, Tokyo, and Miami. Cuba’s best WBC finish came in 2006, when the national team won the silver medal, but Mesa noted the current squad is in reconstruction and faces several absences, making travel approval a crucial factor for preparation and selection.

The recent record on U.S. visas for Cuban teams is mixed. In one prior instance, U.S. visas were issued to players and coaches for an Olympic qualifying tournament in Florida, with the Cuban Baseball Federation saying, “This afternoon we were notified about the issuance of visas,” and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez thanking “all the institutions and individuals who with good will and active management helped overcome the multiple obstacles.” Those last-minute arrangements included consular work outside Havana and allowed the baseball team to travel to the qualifier, which ran from May 31 to June 5.

By contrast, Cuba has also faced blanket denials. The men’s national basketball team was disqualified as a no-show after visas were denied to players on the island. Dalia Henry, president of the Cuban Basketball Federation, said, “It’s the first time a Cuban basketball team is denied U.S. visas. Only two of our players, who live abroad, received the visa. The rest of the players here in Cuba didn’t get the visa.” Players and coaches described the consequences for morale and qualification chances: Michel Espinosa said, “We had to fight hard to get to that point. And we were not eliminated because we played poorly, but because of visas,” while Ariel Ferrán said the denials “made the players lose confidence and affected them mentally.” Coach Osmel Planas asked why denial followed earlier participation in U.S. events, noting the inconsistency.

Additional claims from officials suggest broader policy hurdles. Gisleidy Sosa, international director at INDER, has stated that “every Cuban team that has applied for US visas has been blocked from competing in the US and Puerto Rico since Donald Trump began his second term.” An analysis piece also says the Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation has not been able to submit a 50-player roster to Major League Baseball for the 2026 WBC because the U.S. administration had not approved Cuba’s participation; that assertion remains to be confirmed with MLB and federation officials.

For Cuban players, coaches, and fans, the practical next steps are clear: monitor visa application outcomes, federal consular statements, and any confirmation from Major League Baseball about roster submission deadlines. If visas arrive, Cuba can complete its roster and travel plans; if denials recur, the team’s chances to compete in San Juan will be jeopardized and athletes will face renewed disruption to training and selection.