2026 World Baseball Classic: Willson Contreras Gets Insurance Approval to Play for Venezuela

Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras will play in the World Baseball Classic for his native country of Venezuela, according to an Instagram post he made on Feb. 14.

Contreras, 33, was on Venezuela’s WBC roster when their official rosters were revealed on Feb. 5.​ 

Team Venezuela’s #WorldBaseballClassic roster is here 🇻🇪

FULL ROSTER: https://t.co/JIOzHe3Zr1 pic.twitter.com/tyq6K7fQur

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 6, 2026

​The issue in getting him cleared sooner was the insurance policy of Major League Baseball and the WBC. Contreras spoke at the Red Sox spring training earlier in Fort Myers, Florida, on Feb. 14. 

​“I’m waiting for an insurance company to clear. Didn’t say that I’m not going because I don’t wanna go, but that’s how people are taking it,” Contreras told the media in Fort Myers. 

​He also didn’t have an answer for why the insurance company was taking so long to clear him. Contreras suffered one injury on Sept. 16, 2025, with the St. Louis Cardinals, a right shoulder strain that required a 10-day IL stint. ​ 

Willson Contreras still hasn’t heard if he has gotten cleared to play in @WBCBaseball. He talked about … pic.twitter.com/9idzFIMCA1

— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) February 14, 2026

​Contreras played in 135 games for the Cardinals last season, and produced 20 home runs, 80 RBIs, and a slash line of .257/.344/.447 in 490 at-bats. Contreras was traded to the Red Sox on Dec. 21, 2025, for a package centered around pitcher Hunter Dobbins. 

​Contreras also spoke about the schedule being different and adjusting his training for the WBC in Venezuela. 

​”We need to clear a different schedule for WBC. Like, from players’ perspective, we’ll start we need to start a little earlier than normal, but I think it’s it’s good for us to, to start a little earlier and get ready for the season,” Contreras told the media. “I mean, WBC is a big, big event where you’re playing for your country, playing for your team, and you’re gonna play a 110% from day one.” 

​He will begin training with Venezuela on March 1 for the WBC, and he has started his workouts earlier than normal to prepare for this. 

“Representing your country. It means a lot. I’ve been wanting to play for the last two of them. I have not played because the first one, I was trying to make the team with the Cubs, and to stay with the team,” Contreras told World Baseball Network in April 2025 when asked why he didn’t play for Venezuela in 2017. 

Contreras was born in Puerto Cabello and signed out of Venezuela as an international free agent in 2009 with the Chicago Cubs. He made his MLB debut with them in 2016 and won the World Series that same season. 

Contreras was a Cub for seven seasons and left for the Cardinals as a free agent after the 2022 season. 

“I’m really thankful for them, for giving me the opportunity to become a professional baseball player. I’m really thankful for everything that I did, especially for starting the 2016 World Series. That’s the only ring that I have, and I have to bring it up because I have to, and that’s my blessing,” Contreras told World Baseball Network last April. 

Contreras signed a five-year deal worth $87.5 million on Dec. 9, 2022, with the Cardinals. 

“The second WBC in 2023, I wanted to get to know the Cardinals’ staff and remain focused, but I’m available to go for the next one. If I get an invite and they want me there, I’ll be there,” Contreras told World Baseball Network. 

Contreras is a three-time All-Star and has experience at catcher and first base. For Venezuela, it’s likely that he will be at first base or their designated hitter. Willson will also get the joy of playing with his brother, William Contreras, who is a catcher with the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Venezuela is assigned to Pool D at loanDepot Park in Miami, competing against the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, and Israel. The action begins on March 6, 2026, and will run through March 11, 2026.  

Photo: Willson Contreras swings during the second inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)