Wander Franco's eligibility for Dominican baseball team at 2026 Games

Wander Franco Dominican baseball Central American and Caribbean Games eligibility dispute Olympic Committee

The Dominican Baseball Federation announced its intention to include shortstop Wander Franco on the national team for the Central American and Caribbean Games slated for July‑August 2026 in Santo Domingo. The federation's president Juan Núñez said Franco faces no legal barriers and has been training with the squad under manager Félix Fermín Jr.

The Dominican Olympic Committee, however, confirmed that Franco's name was absent from the official roster submitted before the deadline, indicating he will not compete. Officials explained that the deadline for submitting athletes closed in late April, later extended to early May, and no request for an exception was received.

Media reports note that, as host nation, the Games' organizing body could consider special cases if raised within the regulatory timeframe, but any appeal after the final registration is unlikely to succeed. The situation has sparked public debate in the Dominican Republic, with some citizens calling for a second chance for Franco and others arguing his criminal conviction for sexual abuse of a minor makes his representation inappropriate.

Franco was convicted but granted a judicial pardon, avoiding additional imprisonment, and remains on MLB administrative leave since 2023. The controversy highlights the tension between legal eligibility, sporting merit, and ethical considerations for national representation.