A draw against Belize placed the Island’s team at the top of Group F with seven points.
14ymedio, Havana, February 12, 2026 – Cuba is returning to a soccer World Cup after 35 years of frustrated attempts, although not in the senior category. The achievement came this Wednesday when the Under-17 national team secured a scoreless draw against its counterpart from Belize at Cementos Progreso Stadium in Guatemala City. The feat was accompanied by a first-place finish in the group with seven points. The Island’s team joined Costa Rica, Haiti, Panama, and the United States, which had previously secured their qualification for Qatar 2026.
“It’s my first World Cup,” coach Sandro Sevillano told El Gráfico at the end of the match, emphasizing: “The key was that we focused the group’s mindset on the goal of qualifying for the World Cup.”
The Artemisa native, who has led the U-17 team since 2022, was instrumental in Cuba’s 1–0 victory over Curaçao thanks to a goal by Deibi Borrell. The team also defeated El Salvador 2–1 with a brace from Yankarlos Iglesias, a result that allowed them to reach the final match with an advantage in the standings. The draw against Belize secured the single point needed to confirm their ticket.
“Today it was our turn,” added the strategist, acknowledging that El Salvador also had a chance to advance but finished with six points, one behind the Island in Group F.
In 1989, Cuba became the first Caribbean country to qualify for a U-16 World Cup (Scotland). Two years later, it did so again at Italy 1991.
Independent media outlets highlighted the Island’s accomplishment. “History has been made today in Cuban soccer. A dream come true,” published Por La Goma LLC.
Several of these young players have trained in the “ruins” of Pedro Marrero Stadium, part of Cuba’s National Soccer School, the Cuban National Soccer Team page denounced on Facebook earlier this February. According to the post, the youngsters “have to hang their belongings out to dry” in the stands and train in grass that reaches “above their ankles.”
Regarding the match, the same outlet acknowledged that against Belize “it wasn’t an attractive game,” but it was played intelligently. “Belize put up a fight, their goalkeeper Lucas Gallego had an inspired night, and Cuba couldn’t find the goal but they didn’t need it. The 0–0 tasted like glory, like qualification, like a World Cup.”
Translated by Regina Anavy
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