Cuba hopes World Cup will deter U.S. military action amid oil blockade

Cuba, grappling with a nearly five‑month U.S. oil embargo, is banking on the 2026 World Cup to provide a diplomatic buffer against possible American military moves. Former Cuban ambassador to the EU Carlos Alzugary said the tournament’s start would make a U.S. attack “more difficult,” as several matches – including Scotland vs. Brazil – will be staged in Miami, only about 200 miles from Cuba’s northern coast.

U.S. officials have warned Cuba about its recent procurement of roughly 300 drones from Russia and Iran, which could reach U.S. territory. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referenced the reports during a visit to Guantánamo Bay, stating it would be “unwise” for Cuba to acquire weapons capable of striking the base or the mainland. President Miguel Díaz‑Canel warned that any U.S. assault would result in a “bloodbath with incalculable consequences.” Meanwhile, the U.S. carrier group USS Nimitz was observed off Cuba’s western tip, and surveillance aircraft continue to patrol the island.

Cuban leaders see the World Cup as a potential reprieve from heightened U.S. pressure, while critics note the island’s worsening power outages and protests.