Aaron Judge to Lead Team USA as Captain in 2026 WBC

NEW YORK — Aaron Judge, the reigning American League MVP, announced on Monday that he will serve as the captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. This will mark Judge’s first appearance in the tournament, which is set to begin on March 6, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

At a press conference held at Yankee Stadium, Judge expressed his excitement and pride in representing his country. “Getting the chance to represent the country… it’s a pretty humbling experience,” Judge said. “Happy to be your captain.” He is the first player confirmed for the roster.

Judge’s appointment as captain has generated significant interest among players, with hopes that more stars will commit to joining him. Team USA manager Mark DeRosa reached out to previous captain Mike Trout, who endorsed Judge as the right choice for the role. “I couldn’t be more fired up for Aaron Judge to be the captain for Team USA,” DeRosa said.

DeRosa, who coached Team USA in the 2023 WBC, is eager to reassemble a talented roster. He acknowledged that the pitching staff might be a challenge to fill, given the reluctance of many top pitchers to participate during the competitive MLB spring training season. “That’s the hardest thing for these guys… they’re getting smacked in the mouth with a playoff at-bat,” DeRosa noted.

Team USA will look to improve upon its recent performances, having finished as runner-up in 2023. The only championship win came in 2017. Judge hopes to attract fellow athletes, stating, “I think this team is going to be on a mission… a lot of hungry guys want to be in it.”

While Judge is focused on the upcoming MLB season with the New York Yankees, he is optimistic about the WBC. “I’m hoping for a long, long season this year,” he said, noting that participating in the tournament would be a unique opportunity.

As the first player selected, Judge’s leadership could inspire other big names to join Team USA. The final roster will be announced next February, and the team will compete in Pool B with Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, and Mexico at Daikin Park in Houston.