Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, one of the most dominant relievers from Cuba to play in the MLB and a member of Cuba’s 2009 World Baseball Classic team before defecting later that year, has confirmed interest in participating in the 2026 WBC — but this time, potentially for a different country.
Speaking about Great Britain, Chapman said:
“I didn’t give them 100% of whether I’ll be able to play. Remember that I’m going to be a free agent next season, and I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I told them that I am available to be within the roster and that, before giving the definitive yes that I am going to play, I need to wait for my next season to come out in the Free Agency.”
As for Team USA, Chapman added:
“I was also contacted by the United States team. Although it was only to know if I was available to play with them if they invited me. It was not official.”
Chapman, a U.S. citizen, is eligible to represent the United States under WBC guidelines. His eligibility for Great Britain is more unexpected. Though he appeared on Great Britain’s 50-man preliminary roster for the 2023 tournament, the team never contacted him directly at the time. However, his paternal grandparents emigrated from Jamaica — then a British colony — to Cuba, making him eligible to represent Great Britain in international competition.
If Chapman does suit up for Great Britain, it would be a major boost to the team’s bullpen. The British squad is expected to field several top position player prospects in 2026, but pitching remains a question mark. A proven closer like Chapman would add critical experience and firepower to a team aiming to make a surprise run to the quarterfinals.
Now 37, Chapman is in the midst of a resurgent 2025 season, with 39 strikeouts in 29 innings, 12 saves, and a stellar 1.55 ERA. His ERA+ stands at an elite 268, with a FIP of 2.21, marking his best season since 2018 by several metrics. While his free-agent status in 2026 could complicate any WBC commitment, his presence would be a big get for one of the underdogs in the tournament.
