The Cuba national baseball team has participated in all six editions of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the premier international baseball tournament, which determines the sport's world champion.

Despite previous success at the Summer Olympics and the Baseball World Cup, Cuba has never won the World Baseball Classic. The team debuted in the 2006 tournament, where they were runners-up, losing the championship game to Japan. Cuba reached the second round in 2009, 2013 and 2017. In 2023, the team advanced to the semifinals, where it was defeated by the United States. In 2026, the team finished third in its pool and was eliminated in the first round, marking the first time the Cuban team failed to advance beyond the opening round.

Seven Cuban players have been included in the All-World Baseball Classic Team: Yoandy Garlobo, Yuli Gurriel and Yadel Martí in 2006; Frederich Cepeda and Yoenis Céspedes in 2009; and Yoán Moncada and Miguel Romero in 2023.

Five managers have led the Cuban team in the WBC: Higinio Vélez in 2006 and 2009, Víctor Mesa in 2013, Carlos Martí in 2017, Armando Johnson in 2023, and Germán Mesa in 2026.

Record YearRoundPosition 2006 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 44 43 No qualifiers held 2009 Second round 6th 4 2 36 24 No qualifiers held 2013 Second round 5th 4 2 45 18 Automatically qualified 2017 Second round 7th 2 4 23 40 Automatically qualified 2023 Semifinals 4th 3 3 31 32 Automatically qualified 2026 Pool stage 10th 2 2 13 16 Automatically qualified Total – 6/6 20 16 192 173 — — — —

Results

2006 World Baseball Classic

2009 World Baseball Classic

2013 World Baseball Classic

2017 World Baseball Classic

2023 World Baseball Classic

2026 World Baseball Classic

Head-to-head record

Opponent Pld W L RS RA RD Win % 3 3 0 13 10 +3 1 1 0 5 2 +3 1 0 1 2 7 –5 2 2 0 18 0 +18 2 2 0 21 1 +20 1 1 0 7 4 +3 2 1 1 6 8 –2 1 0 1 1 4 –3 1 0 1 3 6 –3 6 1 5 23 43 –20 2 2 0 23 8 +15 5 1 4 22 33 –11 3 3 0 24 11 +13 3 1 2 7 19 –12 1 1 0 8 1 +7 1 0 1 2 14 –12 1 1 0 7 2 +5 Total (17) 36 20 16 192 173 +19

Rosters

Player records Batting records

The following are batting records for the Cuba national team in the World Baseball Classic.

Statistic Player Total WBC apps Games played Alfredo Despaigne 26 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2026 Hits Frederich Cepeda 32 2006, 2009, 2013, 2017 Home runs Alfredo Despaigne 7 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2026 Runs batted in Frederich Cepeda 23 2006, 2009, 2013, 2017 Runs Frederich Cepeda 19 2006, 2009, 2013, 2017

Pitching records

The following are pitching records for the Cuba national team in the World Baseball Classic.World Baseball Classic, Inc. p. 58.

Statistic Player Total WBC apps Games played Norberto González 11 2006, 2009, 2013 Innings pitched Norberto González 17.0 2006, 2009, 2013 Strikeouts Norberto González 14 2006, 2009, 2013 Ismel Jiménez 2009, 2013 Wins Ormari Romero 2 2006 Norge Luis Vera 2009 Danny Betancourt 2009, 2013 Ismel Jiménez 2009, 2013 Miguel Romero 2023, 2026 Saves Pedro Luis Lazo 2 2006, 2009 Yadel Martí 2006 Raidel Martínez 2017, 2023, 2026

Managers No. Nat. Name WBCs G W L Win % Achievements 1 2006, 2009 14 9 5 1 Silver medal (2006) 2 2013 6 4 2 – 3 2017 6 2 4 – 4 2023 6 3 3 – 5 2026 4 2 2 – Totals 5 managers 6 WBCs 36 20 16

Awards All-World Baseball Classic Team 2006: Yadel Martí, Pitcher 2006: Yuli Gurriel, Second baseman 2006: Yoandy Garlobo, Designated hitter 2009: Frederich Cepeda, Outfielder 2009: Yoenis Céspedes, Outfielder 2023: Miguel Romero, Pitcher 2023: Yoán Moncada, Third baseman

References