We stand on the threshold of the Men’s Volleyball World Championship, which for the first time in history will be hosted by the Philippines. On that remote Pacific island, the maturity of the Cuban men’s national team—called to make the leap into the sport’s elite—will be put to the test.

For several years now, the program has been in a process of reconstruction, bringing together players who had once left the country but later chose to wear the four-letter uniform again, alongside younger talents who have already shined in the top professional leagues around the world.

Collectively, however, we are still waiting for that definitive breakthrough, which hopefully can be achieved now on Philippine soil. A glimpse of it was already seen in the last Volleyball Nations League (VNL), when, for the first time under that competition format, the Caribbean side reached the final phase. But the World Championship is the true stage that will reveal whether Cuba has earned a place among the sport’s cream of the crop.

Although there was speculation about the possible inclusion of promising Daniel Martínez—the standout star of the recently concluded Under-21 World Championship—the Cuban roster will remain the same as in the previous VNL, led by Marlon Yant, who finished as top scorer and leader in attack during the regular phase of that tournament.

The 24-year-old outside hitter was the driving force behind Cuba, finishing among the leaders in several key statistical categories.

It is well known that the great leader of this generation is middle blocker Robertlandy Simón, yet on the court it was Marlon who earned his stripes, and he will be under the watchful eye of every rival.

Alongside the current Zenit Saint Petersburg player in the Russian Super League and the towering middle blocker, the same group that played a central role in the VNL is expected to take the floor: young setter Julio Alberto Gómez, libero Yonder García, opposite hitter Miguel Ángel López, and middle blocker Javier Concepción, with José Israel Massó as the first option off the bench.

Cuba will open its campaign on the 13th against Portugal, a team unfamiliar to the current Cuban technical staff since the two have not faced each other in some time. Portugal sits 29th in the world ranking, far from Cuba’s position at number 10.

The Cubans will also be favorites on the 15th against Colombia, ranked 41st globally. The battle for first place in Group D, however, will likely come on the 17th against the United States, the world’s sixth-ranked team, expected to arrive in the Philippines with its strongest roster.

In truth, for Cuba, finishing first or second in the pool will not make a major difference, since the team would then face one of the leaders from Group E in the round of 16—most likely Slovenia or Germany, ranked seventh and eighth in the world, respectively. Both squads are familiar opponents, teams Cuba has faced often in recent times, with results going both ways.

For that reason, it seems that beyond winning or not winning Group D, what will matter most is “how the boys perform on the day of that decisive crossover match.”

That said, it is still too soon for predictions. Let us not get ahead of events.