The 6th World Baseball Classic (WBC) is set for March 2026, following the exciting 2023 finals where Shohei Ohtani famously struck out his former Angels teammate Mike Trout. That moment stood out as one of the most thrilling in any baseball season, including the MLB playoffs. Hopefully, next spring will bring similarly unforgettable moments.
In 2023, the WBC expanded to include 20 teams, with the top four from each pool automatically qualifying for 2026. These 16 teams are Australia, Canada, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Korea, United States, and Venezuela. The remaining four slots will be filled by Brazil, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, and Nicaragua, who will earn their places through a qualifying tournament during the 2025 Spring Training.
The final pool placements will be set by April, positioning the U.S. alongside Mexico, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Brazil. The tournament kicks off on March 5th with Pool C in Tokyo, followed by Pools A in Puerto Rico, B in Houston, and D in Miami starting the next day. The championship game will take place on Tuesday, March 17, at LoanDepot Park in Miami, the same venue as the 2023 WBC final. Mark DeRosa, a former MLB player and current analyst, will manage Team USA once again.
DeRosa expressed his excitement about returning, saying, “Being able to share the clubhouse and dugout with some of America’s best players and coaches was a career highlight. I’m grateful and eager to lead the team again next March.”
In 2023, Japan went undefeated at 7-0, securing their third WBC title by outscoring opponents 56-18, having previously won in 2006 and 2009. The Dominican Republic took the crown in 2013, while the United States won in 2017.
Several prominent players have already committed to Team USA for 2026, although the roster is still tentative. Aaron Judge, a two-time American League MVP, was announced in April as the U.S. national team captain and the first to commit. This will be his WBC debut. Judge shared his excitement, saying he missed 2023 due to being named Yankees captain but looks forward to competing next year. In the recent season, Judge hit 53 home runs and led baseball in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and WAR.
Team USA also added current AL MVP and top pitcher Nolan Skyeens, who transitioned from being an Air Force pitcher to LSU and now plans to join the team in America by May. Skyeens boasts a remarkable season with a 1.97 ERA and 216 strikeouts over 187⅔ innings, earning Rookie of the Year followed by the Cy Young Award, placing him among the best pitchers in WBC history.
Bobby Witt, who moved to the U.S. in June, returns as the starting shortstop. In 2023, he was used mainly as a pinch runner but is now a fully developed star. Witt hit .295 with 23 homers, 38 stolen bases, and led the league with 47 doubles in 2025, finishing fourth in AL MVP voting and winning his second straight Gold Glove.
Behind the plate, the U.S. will feature Max Lowry, who hit a record 60 home runs for a catcher and finished second in the AL MVP race. Lowry is excited for his WBC debut and hopes to help the team win gold.
Crowe Armstrong, fresh off a 30 home run and 30 stolen base season, will patrol center field. Confirmed in November, Armstrong praised the honor of representing his country. His outstanding 2025 season included 6.0 WAR, Gold Glove defense, and a top-10 NL MVP finish.
Alongside him in the outfield will be other All-Stars like Rowdy Carroll, who also had a 30-30 season and led the league in triples for the third straight year. Carroll is eager to join Team USA and bring strong offense and speed to the lineup.
Relief pitcher Michael Whitlock, committed via social media in November, will make his first WBC appearance. Overcoming injuries, Whitlock became a full-time reliever in 2025 with a 2.25 ERA across 72 innings, often pitching multiple innings, a valuable skill given the WBC’s pitch limits.
Finally, Josh Boyd, who overcame injuries and entered his first All-Star game at 34 in 2025, will be Team USA’s first left-handed pitcher for the tournament. Returning from Tommy John surgery, Boyd posted a solid 3.21 ERA over nearly 180 innings and is expected to be a key rotation part for the U.S.
Fan Take: This preview of the 2026 World Baseball Classic shows a thrilling blend of established stars and rising talents representing Team USA. For baseball fans, it promises an exciting international competition that could redefine global baseball enthusiasm and showcase the sport’s brightest future stars on a world stage.
