The United States is sharpening its focus for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, hoping to lift the trophy it first won in 2017.
A Short History of USA in the WBC
In 2017, Team USA captured its first World Baseball Classic title. Four years later, the squad returned to the final but fell 3-2 to Japan, with Shohei Ohtani striking out Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to seal Japan’s third championship.
The 2026 Schedule and Venues
The tournament opens on March 4 and runs through March 17. Pool play spans March 4-11, followed by quarterfinals on March 13-14, semifinals on March 15-16, and the championship game on March 17.
Group-stage games will be held in:
- Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
- Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Daikin Park, Houston, Texas
- loanDepot park, Miami, Florida
Quarterfinals will take place in Houston and Miami, while the semifinals and finals are scheduled for Miami.
Teams and Pool Assignments
The 20-team field is divided into four pools, each hosted in a single city.
Pool A – San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Canada
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Panama
- Puerto Rico
Pool B – Houston
- Brazil
- Great Britain
- Italy
- Mexico
- United States
Pool C – Tokyo, Japan
- Australia
- Chinese Taipei
- Czechia
- Japan
- Korea
Pool D – Miami
- Dominican Republic
- Israel
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- Venezuela
Tournament Format
Teams play a round-robin within their pool. The top two from each pool advance to single-elimination knockout rounds. Pools A and B play quarterfinals in Houston; Pools C and D play in Miami.
Team USA’s Roster Snapshot
Manager Mark DeRosa has assembled a lineup that blends veteran experience with emerging talent.
Starting Pitchers
- Matthew Boyd (Chicago Cubs)
- Clay Holmes (New York Mets)
- Nolan McLean (New York Mets)
- Joe Ryan (Minnesota Twins)
- Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates)
- Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers)
- Logan Webb (San Francisco Giants)
Relievers
- David Bednar (New York Yankees)
- Garrett Cleavinger (Tampa Bay Rays)
- Griffin Jax (Tampa Bay Rays)
- Mason Miller (San Diego Padres)
- Garrett Whitlock (Boston Red Sox)
Catchers
- Cal Raleigh (Seattle Mariners)
- Will Smith (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Infielders
- Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
- Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)
- Brice Turang (Milwaukee Brewers)
- Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals)
Outfielders
- Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks)
- Pete Crow-Armstrong (Chicago Cubs)
- Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
- Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies)
Bednar, Schwarber, Smith, and Witt Jr. are returning members from the 2023 squad.
Key Takeaways
- USA is aiming to win its second WBC title after a runner-up finish in 2023.
- The 2026 tournament will run from March 4 to March 17 across Japan, Puerto Rico, and the United States.
- Team USA’s roster features championship-caliber stars such as Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, and Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic promises high-stakes baseball, with the United States eager to bring home a second title and fans worldwide ready for a global showdown.
