The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) is facing significant turmoil as insurance coverage denials for key players have led to widespread frustration, particularly among teams from Puerto Rico and Venezuela. This issue has escalated to the point where Puerto Rico has threatened to pull out of the tournament entirely, highlighting concerns over fairness and the ability to field competitive rosters.

Puerto Rico, set to host Pool A at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, has been hit hardest. As of early February 2026, at least eight players, including stars like Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, José Berríos, Victor Caratini, Yadier Ríos, Jovani Morán, Emilio Pagán, and Alexis Díaz, have been denied insurance or withdrawn due to related issues. These denials stem from factors such as recent surgeries, injuries, or failure to meet new insurance criteria. Puerto Rico Baseball Federation president Dr. José Quiles has strongly criticized the process, stating that if the team cannot participate on equal terms, they are considering not competing in the event. “If our players are not going to participate, if we cannot participate on equal terms, it has already been discussed, it has already been analyzed, we are considering not participating in this edition of the Classic,” Quiles said.

Venezuela has also suffered notable losses, with players like José Altuve, Miguel Rojas, Martín Pérez, and Carlos Narváez ruled out due to insurance problems. A new WBC policy prevents insurance for players aged 37 or older, directly impacting Rojas, who turns 37 on February 24, 2026. Rojas expressed his frustration, questioning the fairness of the system: “If I can still play in the big leagues for the Dodgers, why am I not going to play for my team in Venezuela and represent my country?” He further highlighted perceived biases, noting that the issues seem to disproportionately affect Latin American countries like Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, while sparing teams from the United States and Japan.

The controversy has drawn criticism from players and media, with some accusing the WBC and MLB of inconsistent application of rules that hinder Latin American participation. MLB is reportedly in discussions about potential adjustments to the insurance policy, but no changes have been announced as of February 2, 2026. A definitive update on the insurance issue is expected between Monday and Tuesday, as the official rosters must be submitted by Thursday.

This situation has divided opinions in the baseball community. Some view the insurance requirements as necessary to protect players’ MLB contracts, while others see them as barriers that undermine the tournament’s international spirit. The official rosters for all 20 teams will be revealed on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET during a special program on MLB Network. On that day, many of the current doubts regarding player participation, insurance approvals, and potential withdrawals will be resolved as the final lineups are confirmed. As roster announcements approach, the debate continues, with potential implications for the WBC’s credibility and participation from key Latin American nations.