Cuban Men’s Basketball Still Alive for Upcoming World Cup

The dream of returning to a FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup remains alive for Cuba’s current preliminary squad, after advancing to the next round of the regional competition.

On the final day of the Americas pre-qualifying tournament, held in the Chilean city of Valdivia, the Cuban team fell to the host nation in the last game. However, they had already secured their spot in the next stage.

In any case, the 78–74 score reflected a closely contested match, and by a twist of fate, the group in which the Cuban side will compete in the next phase appears on paper to be even less demanding than Chile’s.

The presence of Uruguay, Argentina, and Panama in Group D seems, at first glance, less challenging than the combination of Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil, which the Chileans will face in Group C.

There is still a long way to go, as the next FIBA window will take place in November, when the 12 regional teams that will continue in contention for Qatar 2027 will be determined.

For the Caribbean team, Pedro Bombino, Jasiel Rivero, and Marcos Chacón stood out. This trio is expected to be joined in the starting lineup by either Reynaldo García or Howard Saint Roos as shooting guard, and by either Karel Guzmán or Yoanky Mencía as forwards, depending on each player’s form ahead of the next competition and the often unpredictable official procedures that have hindered the team in the past.

Jasiel finished second in total points scored with 70 and led the tournament in shooting accuracy at 63.8 percent. Bombino ranked fifth in steals, with statistics also factoring in the other pre-qualifying tournament held simultaneously in Mexico.

Head coach Osmel Planas was able to give minutes to bench players in the third game, a positive step to keep the entire roster in rhythm despite the loss.

The venue for the next stage has not yet been determined, but Cuba is scheduled to face Argentina, a team it has not beaten in an official tournament since 1989, on November 27 and 30, first on the road and then at home.

The competition will then pause until February, when Cuba will visit Panama and Uruguay, before closing in July by hosting those same two opponents.

On paper, Panama might be the most accessible rival, but in this century the head-to-head record favors the Panamanians five wins to two, meaning Cuba will need to play with great precision to secure the two victories that could grant passage to the following stage.

For now, as mentioned, there is still a long road ahead. At the moment, Cuba can celebrate advancing to the group stage, and November—and especially February—will reveal the team’s true standing.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff