Team USA’s Full Schedule for the 2026 World Baseball Classic

The United States kicks off its pursuit of a championship at the 2026 World Baseball Classic this weekend as group play begins.

Team USA is favored to win this year’s edition of the tournament after a second-place finish in 2023. Defending champion Japan’s team has a bit weaker roster this time around, giving the Americans a bit less to worry about as they attempt to snag the title.

The U.S. is placed in Pool B for group play along with Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, and Italy. The team’s schedule for the opening round follows.

United States Pool B schedule in 2026 World Baseball Classic

Team USA will kick things off on Friday, March 6, against Brazil. The U.S. will be the road team in that game, with first pitch coming at 8 p.m. ET and be broadcast on Fox. The Americans have Giants righty Logan Webb slated to start that game. Like all of the Pool B games, it will be held at Daikin Park in Houston.

The U.S. will play host to Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Great Britain in Game 2 on Saturday, March 7. That game will also start at 8 p.m. ET and be broadcast on Fox. Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is scheduled to start that game for Team USA in what will be his only appearance of the tournament.

After an off day, the United States will be the home team against Mexico on Monday, March 9. That game will also begin at 8 p.m ET and be broadcast on Fox. Reigning NL Cy Young winner and Pirates ace Paul Skenes is slated to start that game for the Americans.

In the final game of group play, the U.S. will host Italy on Tuesday, March 10 at 9 p.m. ET on FS1. The team has yet to announce a starter for that game.

Date	Time	Opponent	Broadcast
Friday, March 6	8 p.m. ET	at Brazil	Fox
Saturday, March 7	8 p.m. ET	Great Britain	Fox
Monday, March 9	8 p.m. ET	Mexico	Fox
Tuesday, March 10	9 p.m. ET	Italy	FS1

Team USA potential knockout round schedule

If the U.S. wins Pool B as expected, it would face the runner-up from Pool A in the quarterfinals. That group features Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama and Colombia.

The matchup between Team USA and the second-place team from Pool A would take place on Friday March 13 at 8 p.m. ET at Daikin Park in Houston. It would be broadcast on Fox.

If Team USA finishes second in Pool B, it would face the winner of Pool A. That game would take place on Saturday, March 14 at 3 p.m. ET, also at Daikin Park. FS1 would have the broadcast.

If the U.S. happens to advance to the semifinal, the games will take place on Sunday, March 15 and 16, both at 8 p.m. ET at LoanDepot Park in Miami. FS1 would broadcast both of these games.

Finally, if the United States advances to the championship game, it will happen on Tuesday, March 17, at 8 p.m. ET, also at LoanDepot Park in Miami. Fox has the broadcast.

Team USA full roster of 2026 World Baseball Classic

The United States is bringing its best roster ever to the World Baseball Classic. It is a group loaded with All-Stars. The full roster is below.

Catchers

Cal Raleigh, Mariners
Will Smith, Dodgers

Infielders

Alex Bregman, Cubs
Ernie Clement, Blue Jays
Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees
Bryce Harper, Phillies
Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
Brice Turang, Brewers
Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

Outfielders

Roman Anthony, Red Sox
Byron Buxton, Twins
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
Aaron Judge, Yankees (Captain)

Designated Hitter

Kyle Schwarber, Phillies

Pitchers

David Bednar, Yankees
Matthew Boyd, Cubs
Garrett Cleavinger, Rays
Clay Holmes, Mets
Griffin Jax, Rays
Brad Keller, Phillies
Clayton Kershaw, Retired
Nolan McLean, Mets
Mason Miller, Padres
Paul Skenes, Pirates
Tarik Skubal, Tigers
Gabe Speier, Mariners
Michael Wacha, Royals
Logan Webb, Giants
Garrett Whitlock, Red Sox
Ryan Yarbrough, Yankees

Team USA all-time results in World Baseball Classic

Team USA has participated in all five previous editions of the World Baseball Classic but has only been to the finals twice and has just one championship.

Below are the year-by-year results for the team.

Team USA has advanced out of group play in each of the last four WBCs, but has had mixed results in the latter stages of the tournament.

In 2006, the U.S. advanced from Pool B, with a 2-1 record, but in the second round of group play, the Americans went 1-2 and were eliminated after a 2-1 loss to Mexico. The format was considerably different back then, with two rounds of pool play before the top four teams reached the semifinals. Japan won the tournament.

The 2009 tournament saw a format tweak with multiple brackets. The U.S. reached the semifinals but took a 9-4 defeat at the hands of Japan, which went on to win the tournament.

With the same format present in 2013, Team USA reached the quarterfinals, but a 4-3 loss to Puerto Rico eliminated it from the competition. The Dominican Republic went on to defeat the Puerto Ricans in the championship game.

In 2017, the format was changed again to feature two rounds of pool play with the top two teams in each group advancing in each round, before the top four faced off in an elimination bracket. The U.S. finished second in Pool C behind the Dominican Republic. In the next round of pool play, the Americans went 2-1, finishing behind Puerto Rico but advancing to the semifinal. Team USA beat Japan 2-1 in the semifinals and topped Puerto Rico 8-0 in the final to take home the title. Marcus Stroman was named MVP of the tournament.

The 2023 edition settled on the current format, with four groups each featuring five teams. The top two teams in each pool advance to the knockout round. The U.S. went 3-1 in group play to take second-place in Pool C behind Mexico. The Americans then beat Venezuela 9-7 in the quarterfinals before topping Cuba 14-2 in the semis. Team USA then fell to Japan 3-2 in the final in a thriller.

Year	Result	Record
2006	Eighth place	3-3
2009	Third Place	4-4
2013	Quarterfinals	3-3
2017	Champions	6-2
2023	Runners-up	5-2

The U.S. will be looking to win the title for the second time in 2026.