Aaron Judge to Captain Team USA at 2026 World Baseball Classic

Aaron Judge has been named the captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic – his first time playing in the tournament. The announcement came Monday at Yankee Stadium, where Judge wore a Team USA cap and confirmed his commitment to the event.

Judge, the New York Yankees’ captain, previously chose not to play in the 2023 WBC. At that time, he had just signed a nine-year, $360 million contract and had been named team captain. He decided to remain with the Yankees during spring training to focus on the regular season. He was also coming off a season where he hit 62 home runs, setting an American League record. Judge explained that his priority was to lead the Yankees, and he didn’t want to miss that spring.

Now, Judge says the timing is right. He will turn 33 on April 26, 2025, and wants to represent the United States before the opportunity passes. He emphasized the importance of playing for his country and acknowledged the people who have served the nation, saying it’s a privilege to wear “USA” on his jersey.

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa, who will return to lead the team in 2026, said Judge was the first player he thought of when planning the roster. Before making Judge the captain, DeRosa reached out to Mike Trout, who captained Team USA in 2023. Trout gave his approval and said Judge was the right choice. Judge becomes the second Yankees captain to lead Team USA, following Derek Jeter, who played in the 2006 and 2009 tournaments.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will begin with first-round games from March 6 to March 11 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, called Daikin Park, during the tournament. The U.S. team will be in Group B with Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, and Mexico. The top two teams in the group will advance to the quarterfinals on March 13 and 14. The semifinals will be held on March 15 and 16, with the championship game scheduled for March 17. These final rounds will take place at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

So far, Judge is the first confirmed player for Team USA. DeRosa mentioned that many position players want to participate, and he could fill multiple lineups with the available talent. However, pitching remains a concern. In the 2023 WBC, the U.S. pitchers included Merrill Kelly, Lance Lynn, Nick Martinez, and Adam Wainwright. DeRosa said it’s challenging to get starting pitchers because MLB teams want to protect their players before the regular season. He believes there’s a way to meet both the teams’ and players’ needs, such as allowing pitchers to bring their own trainers or coaches.

Judge is already off to a strong start in the 2025 MLB season. Before the Yankees opened their series against the Kansas City Royals this week, Judge was batting .357. He led the league with six home runs, 20 RBIs, and a 1.228 OPS. On April 7 in Detroit, he hit an RBI single against the Tigers. On April 13, he doubled against the San Francisco Giants. His performance shows he remains one of the most productive hitters in baseball.

The last WBC ended with Team USA losing 3-2 to Japan in the championship. Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to secure the win. That loss has motivated many American players to return and try again in 2026. Judge said watching the 2023 tournament from home was difficult, especially knowing the talent the team had. Now, he’s ready to help the U.S. take back the title they last won in 2017 when they defeated Puerto Rico in the final.

DeRosa praised Judge’s leadership and called him the perfect face for Team USA. Yankees manager Aaron Boone agreed, saying Judge’s character and presence make him a natural leader. Judge didn’t consult the Yankees before deciding to join Team USA, as MLB players are allowed to make that choice on their own.

The World Baseball Classic has grown in popularity, especially in Japan and Latin America. With baseball set to return to the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles, the WBC continues to be a major international event. Judge wants to be part of that and hopes to help bring another title to the U.S. He said playing under one flag and representing the country with fellow major leaguers will be a special experience.