The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) on Friday condemned what it called a U.S. “discriminatory policy” after being excluded from the process to register its players for the VI World Baseball Classic, set to be held in Puerto Rico from March 6 to 11, 2026.

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In a formal protest, the federation said tournament organizers argued they did not have authorization from Donald Trump’s administration to include Cuba, even though the FCBS had submitted its request on time to register a preliminary roster of 50 players.

“The U.S. regulations barring our athletes from this event run counter to the spirit of sport,” the statement emphasized.

According to the official note, the entire process has been marked by unjustified delays that have created uncertainty and negatively affected the technical preparation needed to assemble the national team’s roster.

The Federation argued that Cuba has been “the victim of unfair, unequal, and politically motivated treatment, which is incompatible with the principles of respect, fairness, and transparency that should govern any international competition.”

It also stressed that Cuba is not requesting preferential treatment, since its athletes “earned, on the field, their right” to compete in the VI World Baseball Classic.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the matter on his Telegram channel, stating: “Once again the U.S. punishes baseball. They have not approved Cuba’s participation in the VI World Baseball Classic (…) Unacceptable! This is a political exclusion (…) We deserve equal conditions,” the president declared.

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