Cuba national football team

Men's association football team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Cuba women's national football team.

Cuba

Nickname(s)| Los Leones del Caribe (The Lions of the Caribbean)
Los Diablos Rojos (The Red Devils)
Association| Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba (AFC)
Confederation| CONCACAF (North America)
Sub-confederation| CFU (Caribbean)
Head coach| Yunielys Castillo
Captain| Karel Espino
Most caps| Yénier Márquez (126)
Top scorer| Lester Moré (30)
Home stadium| Estadio Pedro Marrero
FIFA code| CUB

First colours

Second colours

|

FIFA ranking
Current|  166  1 (10 July 2025)[1]
Highest| 46 (November – December 2006)
Lowest| 182 (August 2017, March–May 2018)
First international
Cuba 3–1 Jamaica
(Havana, Cuba; 16 March 1930)
Biggest win
Cuba 11–0 Turks and Caicos Islands
(Havana, Cuba; 8 September 2018)
Biggest defeat
Sweden 8–0 Cuba
(Antibes, France; 12 June 1938)
Soviet Union 8–0 Cuba
(Moscow, Soviet Union; 24 July 1980)
Russia 8–0 Cuba
(Volgograd, Russia; 20 November 2023)
World Cup
Appearances| 1 (first in 1938)
Best result| Quarter-finals (1938)
CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup
Appearances| 12 (first in 1971)
Best result| Fourth place (1971)

Medal record

NAFC Championship
| 1947 Cuba | Team
| 1949 Mexico | Team
Caribbean Cup
| 2012 Antigua and Barbuda | Team
| 1996 Trinidad and Tobago | Team
| 1999 Trinidad and Tobago | Team
| 2005 Barbados | Team
| 1995 Cayman Islands and Jamaica | Team
| 2007 Trinidad and Tobago | Team
| 2010 Martinique | Team

The Cuba national football team (Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Cuba) represents Cuba in men's international football, and is controlled by the Asociación de Fútbol de Cuba (English: Football Association of Cuba), which is a member of FIFA since 1932 and was a founding member of CONCACAF since 1961. It was also affiliated with NAFC (1946–1955) and later with CCCF (1955–1961), which was the two predecessor confederations of CONCACAF. It was also a member of PFC, the attempt at a unified confederation of the Americas. Nicknamed Los Leones del Caribe (English: The Lions of the Caribbean).

They were the first Caribbean team to get to the World Cup Quarter finals – they did so in 1938. There, in the round of 16, they defeated Romania in a replay, 2–1, after drawing against them 3–3. They were then eliminated in the quarter-finals by Sweden, 8–0. Cuba has not returned to the World Cup since.

Cuba finished second in the North American Nations Cup in 1947, which they hosted the tournament, second also in Caribbean Cup in 1996, 1999, and 2005, but won in 2012.

## History

[edit]

### Early history

[edit]

Cuba played its first international football match on 16 March 1930 at that year's Central American and Caribbean Games. They beat Jamaica (then a British colony) 3–1 in Havana. Four days later, they beat Honduras 7–0.[3] Cuba were managed by José Tapia, who remained in charge until after Cuba's 1938 World Cup campaign.

Cuba's first World Cup qualification campaign was for the 1934 World Cup in Italy. All of the CONCACAF entrants were placed in Group 11. The winner of a best-of-three tournament between the two weakest nations, Cuba and Haiti would produce a winner to play 1930 qualifiers Mexico in another round of best-of-three. The winner of that would play 1930 semi-finalists the United States of America for a place in the finals. All of the matches between Cuba and Haiti in the first round were staged at Parc Leconte in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 28, 1 and 4 January–February 1934. Cuba won the first match 3–1 with Mario Lopez opening from a penalty and Hector Socorro scoring the second. The second match was a 1–1 draw with Lopez equalising in the 85th minute. In the final match, Cuba won 6–0 with two Lopez goals, one from Hector Socorro and one from his brother Francisco.

The second round against Mexico consisted of three matches at Parque Necaxa in Mexico City. Its first match, on 4 March 1934, saw Mexico go 3–0 up with a hat-trick by Dionisio Mejia, his goals scored in the 12th, 14th and 16th minutes. Mario Lopez scored twice for Cuba with one in each half, but Mexico won 3–2. A week later, Mejia scored another hat-trick as Mexico won 5–0, and seven days later, Mexico won 4–1 after Lopez opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Mexico did not qualify, their 4–2 play-off defeat to the United States was held in Rome during the finals, as the two teams had forgotten to stage it earlier.

### 1938–2000

[edit]

The decision to stage the 1938 World Cup in France was poorly received in the Americas, who had hoped for it to return to South America after the 1934 World Cup in Italy. All nations in South America except Brazil withdrew, and all CONCACAF nations except Cuba, thus the two qualified by default.

The tournament was held as a straight knock-out tournament of 16 nations. Cuba were drawn to play their first-ever World Cup finals match against Romania (who were making their third finals appearance) at Stade du T.O.E.C. in Toulouse, on 5 June 1938. Silviu Bindea put Romania ahead after 35 minutes and Hector Socorro equalised nine minutes later. With three minutes remaining, Tomás Fernández gave Cuba the lead, but within a minute Iuliu Baratky forced extra time with a Romanian equaliser. Romania went 3–2 up in extra-time by Ștefan Dobay's goal on 105 minutes, but Juan Tuñas equalised for Cuba with three minutes of extra-time remaining.

The replay was held at the same stadium, on 9 June. This was at the same time as Switzerland's 4–2 replay win over Germany. Dobay put Romania 1–0 up at half-time with a 35th-minute goal, but in the second half Cuba equalised through Socorro in the 51st minute. Six minutes later, Carlos Oliviera scored the winning goal and it ended 2–1. In the quarter-final, Cuba lost 8–0 to Sweden at Stade du Fort Carre in Antibes, on 12 June. Sweden's Tore Keller and Gustav Wetterström each scored hat-tricks.[4]

The NAFC Championship 1949 served as CONCACAF's qualification group for the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. Cuba, the United States of America and Mexico played each other twice in a tournament held in Mexico City in September 1949. The top two would qualify. Cuba came third and did not qualify, their only point was gained from their second match, a 1–1 draw against the United States on 14 September. Cuba did not compete in World Cup qualification again until 1966, already under Castro's regime. They returned to participation in qualification for 1978, but the 1982 qualifiers represented a significant breakthrough- Cuba reached the final round of qualifying, and were only two points short of reaching the 1982 World Cup. In recent years, Cuban football has seen an improvement in results.

### 2000–present

[edit]

The national football team of Cuba in 2009

They reached the quarter-finals of the 2003 Gold Cup (where they were beaten by the United States) by defeating Canada 2–0 in the Group stage. During the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, Cuba faced Costa Rica and were only eliminated on away goals. They held Costa Rica to a draw in Havana 2–2 and later battled it out for a 1–1 draw in Costa Rica.

During the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, Cuba faced Antigua and Barbuda and the match ended in a 3–3 draw. Later in Pedro Marreo, Cuba won 4–1 to advance to the semi-final round of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. Cuba was with the United States, Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala. Cuba finished in the fourth place with only one victory against Guatemala 2–1 with a goal scored by Aliannis Urgellés. They finished in third place in the 2010 Caribbean Cup to take a place in the 2011 Gold Cup. In 2012, Cuba won the Caribbean Cup for the first time.

For the 2014 World Cup, the Cuban team qualified directly to the Third round as one of the six highest ranked teams and were placed in Group C with Honduras, Panama, and Canada. Although the Cuban team had several close games, they ended their qualification process with one draw and five defeats (losing home and away to Canada and Honduras and drawing to Panama in Havana in their final game after losing in Panama City). Their only goal of the qualifying campaign came from Alberto Gomes against Panama in the final game of the group stage.

## Defection and economic migration by Cuban athletes

[edit]

Further information: List of Cuban football players who have defected to the United States

As well as Cuban athletes in other sports, a number of football players have made the move to the United States in recent years. During the 2002 Gold Cup in Los Angeles, two Cuban players Rey Ángel Martínez and Alberto Delgado chose to remain in the United States. Striker Maykel Galindo did so during the 2005 Gold Cup. Two more, Osvaldo Alonso and Lester More did so during the 2007 Gold Cup.

In 2008, defections occurred during two separate tournaments held in the United States. In March, seven players from the U-23 national football, including Yeniel Bermúdez, Yordany Álvarez and Yendry Díaz defected during the 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament while the team was based in Tampa, FL. In October, two days before the country's World Cup Qualifier versus the US, Reynier Alcántara and Pedro Faife walked away from the team's hotel near Washington, D.C.

During the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Yosniel Mesa defected while the team was in Charlotte, North Carolina.[5] During the 2015 Gold Cup, forward Keiler García defected to the United States before the team's first match against Mexico in Chicago.[6] In September 2019, five players (Yordan Santa Cruz, Andy Baquero, David Urgelles, Orlendis Benítez and Alejandro Portal) defected to Canada during the 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League before and after a match against Canada.[7][8]

During the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup, four players (Roberney Caballero, Denilson Milanés, Neisser Sandó and Jassael Herrera) defected while the team was preparing to travel from Miami to Houston for their last two group stage matches.[9][10] Another player, Sandy Sánchez, also defected after the last group stage game against Canada,[11][12] with a member of the medical staff reportedly following suit.[12]

## Team image

[edit]

### Kit sponsorship

[edit]

Kit supplier  | Period

|

Adidas | 1981–1983
None | 1984–1987
Adidas | 1988–2012
Foward | 2013
Joma | 2015–present

## Results and fixtures

[edit]

See also: Cuba national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

### 2024

[edit]

Nicaragua  v  Cuba 26 March Friendly|  Nicaragua  | 0–1|   Cuba | Managua, Nicaragua

|
|
|
|

19:00 UTC−6 |  | Report |

* Reyes 81'

| Stadium: Nicaragua National Football Stadium
Referee: Ricardo Mendoza (Nicaragua)

Honduras  v  Cuba 6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification|  Honduras  | 3–1|   Cuba | Tegucigalpa, Honduras

|
|
|
|

18:30 UTC−6 |

* Lozano 26'
* Rodríguez 45+2'
* Castillo 82'

| Report |

* Reyes 23'

| Stadium: Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés
Attendance: 10,111
Referee: Juan Calderón (Costa Rica)

Cuba  v  Cayman Islands 11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification|  Cuba  | 3–0
Awarded[note 1]|   Cayman Islands | Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

|
|
|
|

15:30 UTC−4 |  | Report |  | Stadium: Estadio Antonio Maceo

Jamaica  v  Cuba 6 September 2024–25 Nations League|  Jamaica  | 0–0|   Cuba | Kingston, Jamaica

|
|
|
|

19:00 UTC−5 |  | Report |  | Stadium: Independence Park
Attendance: 9,900
Referee: Filiberto Martínez (El Salvador)

Cuba  v  Nicaragua 10 September 2024–25 Nations League|  Cuba  | 1–1|   Nicaragua | Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

|
|
|
|

16:00 UTC−4 |

* Espino 42' (pen.)

| Report |

* Medina 90+7'

| Stadium: Estadio Antonio Maceo
Attendance: 3,565
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauzière (Canada)

Cuba  v  Trinidad and Tobago 10 October 2024–25 Nations League|  Cuba  | 2–2|   Trinidad and Tobago | Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

|
|
|
|

16:00 UTC−4 |

* Rodríguez 64'
* Casanova 75'

| Report |

* Bateau 8'
* Jones 70'

| Stadium: Estadio Antonio Maceo
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Sergio Reyna (Guatemala)

Trinidad and Tobago  v  Cuba 14 October 2024–25 Nations League|  Trinidad and Tobago  | 3–1|   Cuba | Bacolet, Trinidad and Tobago

|
|
|
|

21:00 UTC−4 |

* Gilbert 13'
* J. Jones 28'
* Gill 65'

| Report |

* Matos 62'

| Stadium: Dwight Yorke Stadium
Attendance: 3,543
Referee: Bryan López (Guatemala)

Saint Kitts and Nevis  v  Cuba 14 November 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification play-in|  Saint Kitts and Nevis  | 2–1|   Cuba | Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis

|
|
|
|

19:00 UTC−4 |

* Sawyers 8'
* Burley 48'

| Report |

* Paradela 40'

| Stadium: SKNFA Technical Center
Attendance: 459
Referee: Tori Penso (United States)

Cuba  v  Saint Kitts and Nevis 18 November 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification play-in|  Cuba  | 4–0
(5–2 agg.)|   Saint Kitts and Nevis | Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

|
|
|
|

15:00 UTC−5 |

* Hernández 40'
* Piedra 45+3'
* Paradela 50'
* Reyes 87' (pen.)

| Report |  | Stadium: Estadio Antonio Maceo
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador)
Note: Cuba won 5–2 on aggregate and qualifies for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification.

### 2025

[edit]

Cuba  v  Trinidad and Tobago 21 March 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification|  Cuba  | 1–2|   Trinidad and Tobago | Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

|
|
|
|

16:00 UTC−4 |

* Matos 6'

| Report |

* Lee 20'
* Yeates 53'

| Stadium: Estadio Antonio Maceo
Referee: Juan Gabriel Calderón (Costa Rica)

Trinidad and Tobago  v  Cuba 25 March 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification|  Trinidad and Tobago  | 4–0
(6–1 agg.)|   Cuba | Couva, Trinidad and Tobago

|
|
|
|

19:00 UTC−4 |

* Lee 22', 37'
* Molino 51'
* James 84'

| Report |  | Stadium: Ato Boldon Stadium
Referee: César Arturo Ramos (Mexico)
Note: Trinidad and Tobago won 6–1 on aggregate and qualified for the Finals.

Antigua and Barbuda  v  Cuba 6 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification|  Antigua and Barbuda  | 0–1|   Cuba | Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda

|
|
|
|

15:00 UTC−4 |  | Report |

* Bravo 45+8'

| Stadium: ABFA Technical Centre
Attendance: 428
Referee: Kwinsi Williams (Trinidad and Tobago)

Cuba  v  Bermuda 10 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification|  Cuba  | 1–2|   Bermuda | Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

|
|
|
|

16:00 UTC−4 |

* Aguirre 58'

| Report |

* Parfitt 6'
* Lambe 74'

| Stadium: Estadio Antonio Maceo
Referee: Oliver Vergara (Panama)

## Coaching history

[edit]

* José Tapia (1930–1934)
* Gavin Newton (1934–1935)
* José Tapia (1935–1938)
* Marcelino Minsal (1947–1949)
* František Churda (1963–1964)
* Karoly Kósa (1966)
* László Mohácsi (1967)
* Kim Yong-ha (1970–1971)
* Sergio Padrón (1976)
* Tibor Ivanics (1980–1981)
* Roberto Hernández (1985–1988)
* Giovanni Campari (1990–1996)
* William Bennett (1996–2000)
* Miguel Company (2000–2004)
* Luis Armelio Garcia (2004–2005)
* Raúl González (2006–2007)
* Reinhold Fanz (2008)
* Raúl González (2008–2012)
* Chandler González (2012)
* Walter Benítez (2012–2015)
* Raúl González (2015–2016)
* Julio Valero (2016)
* Raúl Mederos (2016–2019)
* Pablo Elier Sánchez (2019–2023)
* Yunielys Castillo (2023–present)

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

The following 23 players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Antigua and Barbuda and Bermuda on 6 and 10 June 2025.[13]

Caps and goals correct as of 10 June 2025, after the match against Bermuda.

No. | Pos. | Player  | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Goals  | Club

|
|
|
|
|
|

1  | 1GK | Ismel Morgado |  (2003-05-31) 31 May 2003 (age 22) | 5  | 0  |  Junior de Managua
12  | 1GK | Raiko Arozarena |  (1997-03-27) 27 March 1997 (age 28) | 17  | 0  |  Las Vegas Lights
21  | 1GK | Yurdy Hodelin |  (2005-09-23) 23 September 2005 (age 19) | 1  | 0  |  Consultants

* * *

2  | 2DF | Ricardo Polo |  (2005-05-14) 14 May 2005 (age 20) | 0  | 0  |  Santa Rosa
3  | 2DF | Camilo Pinillo |  (2005-02-21) 21 February 2005 (age 20) | 1  | 0  |  Lierse
4  | 2DF | Cavafe |  (1999-04-25) 25 April 1999 (age 26) | 27  | 2  |  Unión Adarve
5  | 2DF | Karel Pérez |  (2005-08-25) 25 August 2005 (age 19) | 12  | 0  |  Gil Vicente
6  | 2DF | Pedro Bravo |  (2001-12-05) 5 December 2001 (age 23) | 6  | 1  |  Limón Black Star
8  | 2DF | Leandro Mena |  (2005-02-03) 3 February 2005 (age 20) | 4  | 0  |  PFA Antioquia
22  | 2DF | Orlando Calvo |  (1999-04-09) 9 April 1999 (age 26) | 12  | 0  |  Inter San Carlos
23  | 2DF | Josué Valdez |  (2003-04-14) 14 April 2003 (age 22) | 0  | 0  |  Masachapa

* * *

10  | 3MF | Dairon Reyes |  (2003-09-18) 18 September 2003 (age 21) | 20  | 1  |  Inter Miami II
13  | 3MF | Diego Catasus |  (2005-04-03) 3 April 2005 (age 20) | 7  | 0  |  Latina Calcio
14  | 3MF | Karel Espino |  (2001-10-27) 27 October 2001 (age 23) | 33  | 2  |  Comunicaciones
15  | 3MF | Marcos Campos |  (2005-11-15) 15 November 2005 (age 19) | 2  | 0  |  PFA Antioquia
16  | 3MF | Rey Rodríguez |  (2003-01-15) 15 January 2003 (age 22) | 10  | 0  |  Masachapa
18  | 3MF | Yasniel Matos |  (2002-03-29) 29 March 2002 (age 23) | 34  | 3  |  Municipal

* * *

7  | 4FW | Willian Pozo-Venta |  (1997-08-27) 27 August 1997 (age 27) | 27  | 4  |  Grorud
9  | 4FW | Maikel Reyes |  (1993-03-04) 4 March 1993 (age 32) | 53  | 13  |  Managua
11  | 4FW | Onel Hernández |  (1993-02-01) 1 February 1993 (age 32) | 15  | 4  |  Norwich City
17  | 4FW | Martín Rodríguez |  (2005-08-31) 31 August 2005 (age 19) | 2  | 0  |  Yverdon Sport
19  | 4FW | Jorge Aguirre |  (2000-01-05) 5 January 2000 (age 25) | 2  | 1  |  Panetolikos
20  | 4FW | Alessio Raballo |  (2006-09-09) 9 September 2006 (age 18) | 3  | 0  |  Parma

### Recent call-ups

[edit]

The following players have also been called up to the Cuba squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. | Player  | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Goals  | Club  | Latest call-up

|
|
|
|
|
|

* * *

DF | Yosel Piedra |  (1994-03-27) 27 March 1994 (age 31) | 46  | 2  |  AD San Carlos | v.  Trinidad and Tobago, 26 March 2025
DF | Dariel Morejón |  (1998-12-21) 21 December 1998 (age 26) | 45  | 0  |  Santa Ana | v.  Trinidad and Tobago, 26 March 2025
DF | Alejandro Delgado |  (2003-02-14) 14 February 2003 (age 22) | 13  | 0  |  ART Municipal Jalapa | v.  Trinidad and Tobago, 26 March 2025
DF | Elvis Casanova |  (2005-09-17) 17 September 2005 (age 19) | 6  | 0  |  Consultants | v.  Trinidad and Tobago, 26 March 2025
DF | Mario Peñalver |  (2003-01-06) 6 January 2003 (age 22) | 8  | 0  |  ART Municipal Jalapa | v.  Nicaragua, 14 October 2024

* * *

MF | Yunior Pérez |  (2001-03-12) 12 March 2001 (age 24) | 30  | 0  |  Malacateco | v.  Trinidad and Tobago, 26 March 2025
MF | Romario Torres |  (2005-02-09) 9 February 2005 (age 20) | 12  | 0  |  Jicaral | v.  Trinidad and Tobago, 26 March 2025
MF | Michael Camejo |  (2005-03-17) 17 March 2005 (age 20) | 4  | 0  |  PFA Antioquia | v.  Saint Kitts and Nevis, 18 November 2024

* * *

FW | Daniel Díaz |  (1994-03-27) 27 March 1994 (age 31) | 17  | 0  |  Inter San Carlos | v.  Trinidad and Tobago, 26 March 2025
FW | Christian Flores |  (1999-04-06) 6 April 1999 (age 26) | 3  | 1  |  Inter San Carlos | v.  Trinidad and Tobago, 26 March 2025
FW | Aniel Casanova |  (2005-09-17) 17 September 2005 (age 19) | 3  | 1  |  Consultants | v.  Trinidad and Tobago, 26 March 2025
FW | Luis Paradela |  (1997-01-21) 21 January 1997 (age 28) | 39  | 11  |  Universitatea Craiova | v.  Saint Kitts and Nevis, 18 November 2024
FW | Reydel Sánchez |  (2004-01-01) 1 January 2004 (age 21) | 5  | 0  |  Los Llanos | v.  Saint Kitts and Nevis, 18 November 2024 INJ
FW | David Pérez |  (2005-04-24) 24 April 2005 (age 20) | 1  | 0  |  La Habana | v.  Nicaragua, 10 September 2024

* * *

INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
RET Player retired from the national team.
SUS Player is serving suspension.
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

## Player records

[edit]

As of 14 October 2024[14]
Players in bold are still active with Cuba

### Most appearances

[edit]

Yénier Márquez is Cuba's most capped player with 126 appearances. Rank  | Player  | Caps  | Goals  | Years

|
|
|
|

1  | Yénier Márquez | 126  | 16  | 2000–2015
2  | Odelín Molina | 123  | 0  | 1996–2013
3  | Jaime Colomé | 82  | 12  | 2002–2013
4  | Alexánder Cruzata | 74  | 2  | 1996–2005
5  | Lázaro Darcourt | 73  | 21  | 1995–2003
6  | Alain Cervantes | 68  | 8  | 2003–2016
7  | Silvio Pedro Miñoso | 66  | 0  | 2002–2008
8  | Reysander Fernández | 65  | 3  | 2003–2012
9  | Lester Moré | 62  | 30  | 1995–2007
10  | Manuel Bobadilla | 57  | 11  | 1995–2001

### Top goalscorers

[edit]

Lester Moré is Cuba's all-time top scorer with 30 goals. Rank  | Player  | Goals  | Caps  | Ratio  | Career

|
|
|
|
|

1  | Lester Moré | 30  | 62  | 0.48  | 1995–2007
2  | Lázaro Darcourt | 21  | 73  | 0.29  | 1995–2003
3  | Roberto Linares | 16  | 42  | 0.38  | 2008–2012
Yénier Márquez | 16  | 126  | 0.12  | 2000–2015
5  | Eduardo Sebrango | 13  | 23  | 0.57  | 1996–1998
6  | Serguei Prado | 12  | 30  | 0.4  | 1999–2005
Maykel Galindo | 12  | 33  | 0.36  | 2002–2005
Osmín Hernández | 12  | 46  | 0.26  | 1995–2004
Maikel Reyes | 12  | 51  | 0.24  | 2012–present
Jaime Colomé | 12  | 82  | 0.15  | 2002–2013

## Competitive record

[edit]

### FIFA World Cup

[edit]

Main article: Cuba at the FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record  |  | Qualification record

|
|

Year  | Result  | Position  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad  | Outcome  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
1930 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member
1934 | Did not qualify | 2nd  | 6  | 2  | 1  | 3  | 13  | 14
1938 | Quarter-finals  | 7th  | 3  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 5  | 12  | Squad | Qualified by default
1950 | Did not qualify | 3rd  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 3  | 3  | 11
1954 | Not accepted[15] | Not accepted
1958 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1962
1966 | Did not qualify | 3rd  | 4  | 1  | 1  | 2  | 3  | 5
1970 | Not accepted[15] | Not accepted
1974 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1978 | Did not qualify | Playoff  | 5  | 2  | 2  | 1  | 7  | 5
1982 | 5th  | 9  | 4  | 3  | 2  | 11  | 8
1986 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1990 | Did not qualify | 2nd  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 2
1994 | Withdrew | Withdrew
1998 | Did not qualify | 4th  | 10  | 4  | 1  | 5  | 17  | 18
2002 | Playoff  | 8  | 2  | 5  | 1  | 7  | 3
2006 | Playoff  | 4  | 2  | 2  | 0  | 8  | 4
2010 | 4th  | 8  | 3  | 0  | 5  | 13  | 21
2014 | 4th  | 6  | 0  | 1  | 5  | 1  | 10
2018 | Playoff  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 1
2022 | 3rd  | 4  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 7  | 3
2026 | 3rd  | 4  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 6  | 5
2030 | To be determined | To be determined
2034
Total  | Quarter-finals  | 1/22 | 3  | 1  | 1  | 1  | 5  | 12  | —  | —  | 76  | 24  | 20  | 32  | 98  | 110
FIFA World Cup history

First match  |  Cuba 3–3 Romania
(5 June 1938; Toulouse, France)
Biggest win  |  Cuba 2–1 Romania
(9 June 1938; Toulouse, France)
Biggest defeat  |  Cuba 0–8 Sweden
(12 June 1938; Antibes, France)
Best result  | Seventh place (1938)
Worst result  | —

### CONCACAF Gold Cup

[edit]

Main article: Cuba at the CONCACAF Gold Cup

CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup record

Year  | Result  | Position  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad
1963 | Did not enter
1965 | Withdrew
1967 | Did not qualify
1969 | Did not enter
1971 | Fourth place | 4th | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | Squad
1973 | Did not enter
1977 | Did not qualify
1981 | Final round  | 5th  | 5  | 1  | 2  | 2  | 4  | 8  | Squad
1985 | Did not enter
1989 | Did not qualify
1991 | Withdrew
1993 | Did not enter
1996 | Did not qualify
1998 | Group stage  | 10th  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 2  | 10  | Squad
2000 | Did not qualify
2002 | Group stage  | 11th  | 2  | 0  | 1  | 1  | 0  | 1  | Squad
2003 | Quarter-finals  | 8th  | 3  | 1  | 0  | 2  | 2  | 8  | Squad
2005 | Group stage  | 12th  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 3  | 9  | Squad
2007 | Group stage  | 12th  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 2  | 3  | 9  | Squad
2009 | Withdrew
2011 | Group stage  | 12th  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 1  | 16  | Squad
2013 | Quarter-finals  | 8th  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 6  | 13  | Squad
2015 | Quarter-finals  | 8th  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 1  | 14  | Squad
2017 | Did not qualify
2019 | Group stage  | 16th  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 0  | 17  | Squad
2021 | Withdrew
2023 | Group stage  | 15th  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 3  | 9  | Squad
2025 | Did not qualify
Total  | Fourth place  | 12/28  | 40  | 5  | 6  | 29  | 30  | 121  | —

### CONCACAF Nations League

[edit]

CONCACAF Nations League record

League  |  | Finals
Season  | Division  | Group  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | Year  | Result  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad
2019–20 | A | A | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 0  | 18  |  |  2021 | Did not qualify
2022–23 | B | A | 6  | 5  | 0  | 1  | 11  | 3  |  |  2023 | Ineligible
2023–24 | A | B | 4  | 1  | 2  | 1  | 1  | 4  |  |  2024 | Did not qualify
2024–25 | A | B | 4  | 0  | 3  | 1  | 4  | 6  |  |  2025
Total  | —  | —  | 18  | 6  | 5  | 7  | 16  | 31  | —  | Total  | 0 Titles  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —

### CFU Caribbean Cup

[edit]

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup record  |  | Qualification record

|
|

Year  | Result  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA
1978 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1979
1981
1983
1985
1988
1989
1990
1991 | Withdrew | Withdrew
1992 | Fourth place | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | Squad | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0
1993 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1994 | Withdrew | Withdrew
1995 | Third place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 6 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0
1996 | Runners-up | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 2 | Squad | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0
1997 | Did not enter | Did not enter
1998 | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3
1999 | Runners-up | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2
2001 | Fourth place | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1
2005 | Runners-up | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | Squad | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1
2007 | Third place | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | Squad | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 2
2008 | Fourth place | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | Squad | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 2
2010 | Third place | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | Squad | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5
2012 | Champions | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | Squad | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 2
2014 | Fourth place | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | Squad | Qualified as defending champions
2017 | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4
Total | 1 Title | 51 | 26 | 11 | 14 | 67 | 43 | —  | 31 | 28 | 8 | 2 | 105 | 21

### Olympic Games

[edit]

Olympic Games record

Year  | Result  | Position  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad
1976 | Group stage | 11th | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Squad
1980 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 12 | Squad
Total | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 13 | —

### NAFC Championship

[edit]

NAFC Championship record

Year  | Result  | Pld  | W  | D  | L  | GF  | GA
1947 | Runners-up | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5
1949 | Third place | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11
Total | Runners-up | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 16

### CCCF Championship

[edit]

CCCF Championship record

Year  | Result  | Pld  | W  | D*  | L  | GF  | GA
1941 | Not an CCCF member
1943
1946
1948
1951
1953
1955 | Seventh place | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 17
1957 | Fifth place | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11
1960 | Fifth place | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 12
1961 | Fifth place | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 9
Total | Fifth place | 18 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 11 | 49

## Honours

[edit]

### Regional

[edit]

* NAFC Championship1
* Runners-up (1): 1947
* Third place (1): 1949
* Caribbean Cup
* Champions (1): 2012[16]
* Runners-up (3): 1996, 1999, 2005
* Third place (3): 1995, 2007, 2010
* Central American and Caribbean Games
* Gold medal (1): 1930

### Summary

[edit]

Senior Competition |  |  |  | Total

|
|
|
|

NAFC Championship1 | 0  | 1  | 1  | 2
Total | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2

Notes

1. Official regional competition organized by NAFC. It was a predecessor confederation of CONCACAF, affiliated with FIFA as the former governing body of football in North America, from 1946 to 1961.

## See also

[edit]

* Association football portal
* Cuba portal

* Cuba national under-20 football team
* Cuba national under-17 football team

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Cuba were awarded a 3–0 victory by forfeit, due to the Cayman Islands team not wanting visa issues to the United States as a result of visiting Cuba.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
2. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 3 August 2025. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
3. ^ "Cuba – List of International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
4. ^ "Baseball in Their Veins, but a New Ball at Their Feet". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
5. ^ "Cuba's Yosniel Mesa defects". ESPN. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 12 July 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
6. ^ "Keilen García, el premio-castigo de la libertad". ESPN Deportes. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
7. ^ Ebro, Jorge; González, Pedro J. (8 September 2019). "Tres cubanos más escapan en torneo de CONCACAF y ya suman cinco los que abandonan el equipo" [Three more Cubans escape in the CONCACAF tournament and there are already five who leave the team]. El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 21 September 2019.
8. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia (9 September 2019). "Report: Five Cuba national team players defect during Nations League". Major League Soccer. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
9. ^ "Cuatro futbolistas de la selección de Cuba escaparon tras el primer partido de la Copa Oro en Miami". Infobae (in Spanish). 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
10. ^ "Reportes: Cuatro futbolistas abandonaron la concentración de Cuba en Miami durante la Copa Oro". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). 28 June 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
11. ^ "Cinque giocatori cubani hanno abbandonato la Nazionale durante la Gold Cup, e ora sono irreperibili". Rivista Undici (in Italian). 7 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
12. ^ a b "Sandy Sánchez, portero de Cuba y Pantoja, desertó después de Copa Oro". ESPN Deportes (in Spanish). 5 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
13. ^ "Final Squad". Instagram. Cuban Football Association.
14. ^ Passo Alpuin, Luis Fernando. "Cuba - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
15. ^ a b "History of the FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition (by year)" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
16. ^ "Cuba 1 Trinidad & Tobago 0". Soccerway. 16 December 2012. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 17 December 2012.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cuba national association football team.

* Cuba FIFA profile

* v
* t
* e

Cuba national football team

General|

* History

Venues|

* Estadio Pedro Marrero

Statistics|

* Records
* CONCACAF Gold Cup record

Results|

* 2020–present

FIFA World Cup|

* 1938

CONCACAF Championship / Gold Cup|

* 1971
* 1981
* 1998
* 2002
* 2003
* 2005
* 2007
* 2011
* 2013
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

CFU Caribbean Cup|

* 1992
* 1995
* 1996
* 1999
* 2001
* 2005
* 2007
* 2008
* 2010
* 2012
* 2014

Other Tournaments|

* 1947 NAFC Championship
* 1949 NAFC Championship

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

CFU Championship & Caribbean Cup winners

CFU Championship|

* 1978:  Suriname
* 1979:  Haiti
* 1981:  Trinidad and Tobago
* 1983:  Martinique
* 1985:  Martinique
* 1988:  Trinidad and Tobago

Caribbean Cup|

* 1989:  Trinidad and Tobago
* 1991:  Jamaica
* 1992:  Trinidad and Tobago
* 1993:  Martinique
* 1994:  Trinidad and Tobago
* 1995:  Trinidad and Tobago
* 1996:  Trinidad and Tobago
* 1997:  Trinidad and Tobago
* 1998:  Jamaica
* 1999:  Trinidad and Tobago
* 2001:  Trinidad and Tobago
* 2005:  Jamaica
* 2007:  Haiti
* 2008:  Jamaica
* 2010:  Jamaica
* 2012:  Cuba
* 2014:  Jamaica
* 2017:  Curaçao

* v
* t
* e

1938 FIFA World Cup finalists

Champions|

*  Italy

Runners-up|

*  Hungary

Third place|

*  Brazil

Fourth place|

*  Sweden

Quarter-finals|

*  Cuba
*  Czechoslovakia
*  France
*  Switzerland

First round|

*  Austria
*  Belgium
*  Dutch East Indies
*  Germany
*  Netherlands
*  Norway
*  Poland
*  Romania

Squads

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 1938 FIFA World Cup

* FW Alonzo
* MF Arias
* GK Ayra
* DF Barquín
* MF Bergés
* GK Carvajales
* DF Chorens (c)
* FW Fernández
* FW Ferrer
* MF Galceran
* FW Magriñá
* FW Oliveira
* MF Rodríguez
* FW Socorro
* FW Sosa
* FW Tuñas
* Coach: Tapia

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 1976 Summer Olympics

* 1 Reinoso
* 2 Sotomayor
* 3 Holmanza
* 4 Garcés
* 5 Bonora
* 6 Elejalde
* 7 Roldán
* 8 Cepero
* 9 Lara
* 10 Hernández
* 11 Fariñas
* 12 Pereira
* 13 Rivero
* 14 Delgado
* 15 Massó
* 16 Madera
* 17 Loredo
* Coach: Padrón

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 1980 Summer Olympics

* 1 Reinoso
* 2 López
* 3 Frometa
* 4 Sánchez
* 5 Dreke
* 6 Espinosa
* 7 Roldán
* 8 Povea
* 9 Lara
* 10 Núñez
* 11 Hernández
* 12 Martinez
* 13 Pereira
* 14 Delgado
* 15 Massó
* 16 Madera
* 17 Loredo
* Coach: Ivanics

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 Revé
* 2 Llorente
* 3 Pedraza
* 4 Gou
* 5 Cruzata
* 7 Montero
* 8 Mora
* 9 Darcourt
* 10 Bobadilla
* 11 Moré
* 12 Sánchez
* 13 Aguado
* 14 Álvarez
* 15 Hernández
* 16 Sebrango
* 18 Blake
* 19 Driggs
* 20 Martén
* Coach: William Bennett

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 Molina
* 2 Driggs
* 3 Márquez
* 4 Rodríguez
* 5 Cruzata
* 6 Pedraza
* 7 Torres
* 8 Gandara
* 9 Darcourt
* 10 Delgado
* 11 Betancourt
* 12 Revé
* 13 Pedro
* 14 Ramírez
* 17 Pérez
* 18 Martínez
* 19 Galindo
* 22 Estrada
* Coach: Company

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 Molina
* 2 Rivero
* 3 Márquez
* 4 Pedro
* 5 Cruzata
* 6 Pérez
* 7 Ramírez
* 8 Morales
* 9 Darcourt
* 10 Moré
* 11 Estrada
* 12 Revé
* 13 Galindo
* 14 Colomé
* 15 Ruiz
* 16 Fernández
* 17 Faife
* 18 Cervantes
* Coach: Company

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 Molina
* 2 Pedro
* 3 Márquez
* 4 Rodríguez
* 5 Cruzata
* 6 Villarrutia
* 7 Ramírez
* 8 Aquino
* 9 Cervantes
* 10 Moré
* 11 Gil
* 12 Revé
* 13 Galindo
* 14 Colomé
* 15 Morales
* 16 Fernández
* 17 Faife
* 18 Duarte
* 19 Muñoz
* 21 Pérez
* Coach: Armelio García

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 Molina
* 2 Pedro
* 3 Márquez (c)
* 4 Caballeros
* 5 Clavelo
* 6 Alonso
* 7 Martínez
* 8 Yo. Colomé
* 9 Cervantes
* 10 Moré
* 11 Villarrutia
* 12 Quintero
* 13 Ramos
* 14 Ja. Colomé
* 15 Morales
* 16 Fernández
* 17 Faife
* 18 Alcántara
* 19 Duarte
* 21 Aldama
* Coach: González

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 Molina
* 2 Francisco
* 3 Márquez
* 4 Dranguet
* 5 Clavelo
* 6 Y. Colomé
* 7 Hernández
* 8 J. Colomé (c)
* 9 Cervantes
* 10 Linares
* 12 Pichardo
* 14 Urgellés
* 15 Lahera
* 16 Fernández
* 17 Mesa
* 18 Quesada
* 19 Carrazana
* 20 Gómez
* Coach: González

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 Molina
* 2 M. Márquez
* 3 Y. Márquez
* 4 López
* 5 Clavelo (c)
* 6 Y. Colomé
* 7 Coroneaux
* 8 J. Colomé
* 9 Alfonso
* 10 Sánchez
* 11 Martínez
* 12 Pichardo
* 13 Corrales
* 14 Urgellés
* 15 Malblanche
* 16 Horta
* 17 Zuáznabar
* 18 Pérez
* 19 Blanco
* 20 Gómez
* 21 Guerra
* 22 Puga
* 23 Rodríguez
* Coach: Benítez

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 Sánchez
* 2 Baquero
* 3 Márquez (c)
* 4 Horta
* 5 Clavelo
* 6 Nápoles
* 7 Suárez
* 8 Gómez
* 9 Reyes
* 10 Martínez
* 11 García
* 12 Argüelles
* 13 Corrales
* 14 Hernández
* 15 Diz
* 16 Dranguet
* 17 Pérez
* 18 Luis
* 19 López
* 20 Coroneaux
* 21 D. Guerra
* 22 Cervantes
* 23 F. Guerra
* Coach: González

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 Sánchez
* 2 Baquero
* 3 Rizo
* 4 López (c)
* 5 Morejón
* 6 Piedra
* 7 Abreu
* 8 Portal
* 9 Reyes
* 10 Hernández
* 11 Santa Cruz
* 12 Pozo
* 13 Álvarez
* 14 Rodríguez
* 15 Martínez
* 16 Luis
* 17 Espino
* 18 Pérez
* 19 Kindelán
* 20 Morris
* 21 Johnston
* 22 Caballero
* 23 Paradela
* Coach: Mederos

* v
* t
* e

Cuba squad – 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup

* 1 S. Sánchez
* 2 Méndez
* 3 Peñalver
* 4 Cavafe
* 5 Morejón
* 6 Piedra
* 7 Pozo-Venta
* 8 E. Hernández
* 9 Reyes
* 10 A. Hernández
* 11 Torres
* 12 Arozarena
* 13 Corrales
* 14 Sandó
* 15 Pérez
* 16 Herrera
* 17 Díaz
* 18 Matos
* 19 Milanés
* 20 Ruiz
* 21 Johnston
* 22 Caballero
* 23 Paradela
* Coach: P. Sánchez

* v
* t
* e

Football in Cuba

Football Association of Cuba

National teams|

| Men|

* National team
* Olympic (U-23)
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal

|

Women|

* National team
* U-23
* U-20
* U-17
* Futsal

League system|

| Men|

* Campeonato Nacional de Fútbol de Cuba
* Torneo de Ascenso

|

Domestic cups|

|

Awards|

* Footballer of the Year
* Top scorers

Lists|

* All-time Table
* Champions
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* Venues

* Men's clubs
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* Seasons
* Records

* v
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National and regional football teams of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF)

North America|

* Canada
* Mexico
* United States

Central America|

* Belize
* Costa Rica
* El Salvador
* Guatemala
* Honduras
* Nicaragua
* Panama

Caribbean|

* Anguilla
* Antigua and Barbuda
* Aruba
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Bermuda1
* Bonaire3
* British Virgin Islands
* Cayman Islands
* Cuba
* Curaçao
* Dominica
* Dominican Republic
* French Guiana2 3
* Grenada
* Guadeloupe3
* Guyana2
* Haiti
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* Martinique3
* Montserrat
* Puerto Rico
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* Saint Lucia
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
* Saint Martin3
* Sint Maarten3
* Suriname2
* Trinidad and Tobago
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* U.S. Virgin Islands

Defunct|

* Netherlands Antilles

* 1: Inside the North American zone, but CFU member.
* 2: South American region, but affiliated to CONCACAF and CFU.
* 3: Full or associate CONCACAF member, but non-FIFA member.

* v
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National sports teams of Cuba

* Badminton
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* M
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* Basketball
* M
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* M
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* M
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* M
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* M
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* M
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* M
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* Water polo
* M
* W

* Olympics
* Paralympics
* Pan American Games

Portals:

* Association football
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*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[Pld]: Games played
*[W]: Won
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*[GF]: Goals for
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