Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ superstar outfielder and reigning American League MVP, is officially set to make his debut for Team USA at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), where he will serve as the team’s captain. The announcement was made by Team USA manager Mark DeRosa during an interview on MLB Network on April 14, 2025. This will mark the first time Judge represents the United States in the prestigious international tournament, and his participation has already sparked excitement across the baseball world.
The 2026 WBC will be held from March 5 to March 17, with games hosted in cities including Houston, Miami, Tokyo, and San Juan. Team USA will compete in Pool B alongside Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil, with its pool play taking place in Houston. Judge’s leadership is expected to play a key role in rallying both veteran and rising stars as the U.S. aims to improve upon its second-place finish in 2023, when it fell to Japan in the final.
Judge’s current performance in the 2025 MLB season reinforces why he was selected as captain—batting .357 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in just 15 games. His involvement not only boosts Team USA’s competitive edge but also signals a renewed commitment to fielding a star-studded and focused squad for the next WBC. Fans and analysts alike believe Judge’s presence could inspire other top-tier American players to join the roster in pursuit of another title, the first since the U.S. last won the WBC in 2017.
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