New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge will officially captain Team USA in the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), as announced by Team USA manager Mark DeRosa on MLB Network on Monday.
This marks Judge’s WBC debut, after he opted out of the 2023 tournament due to ongoing free agency negotiations. Now, the reigning American League MVP is ready to embrace the opportunity to represent his country on baseball’s global stage.
“It wasn’t the best sitting at home watching Team USA battle. I wanted to be there,” Judge said on MLB Network. “I was in the middle of free agency, but I was looking forward to this opportunity again. Getting the chance to represent and be the captain is something that [Mike Trout] did last time, and it's a pretty special honor.”
Aaron Judge Follows in Derek Jeter’s Footsteps
Judge becomes the second Yankees captain in history to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, following Derek Jeter, who played in both the 2006 and 2009 tournaments. The announcement adds another milestone to Judge’s already impressive résumé as one of MLB’s premier talents and a respected team leader.
Team USA in Pool B for 2026 WBC
Team USA will compete in Pool B alongside Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil. Pool play begins March 6, 2026, in Houston, with the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals. The championship game is set for March 17, 2026, at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
In 2023, Team USA reached the WBC final but came up short against Japan in a thrilling championship showdown. With Judge now leading the charge, Team USA will look to reclaim global supremacy in 2026.
What Judge Brings to Team USA
As one of the most dominant players in baseball, Judge brings power, leadership, and clutch postseason experience to the national roster. Known for his towering home runs and gold-glove caliber defense, Judge's presence is expected to energize Team USA and inspire a new generation of baseball fans.
Stay tuned as the 2026 World Baseball Classic approaches—Aaron Judge and Team USA are ready to make history.
