The World Baseball Classic, which is managed and organized by Major League Baseball, kicked off in Houston on March 7, 2026. According to reports, this event allows MLB players to participate, unlike other tournaments such as continental events or the Olympics. Great Britain, which debuted at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, earned automatic qualification for 2026 after their maiden victory over Colombia in the previous tournament.
Great Britain's 2026 pool includes Italy, Brazil, Mexico, and the United States. Great Britain faced Mexico in their opening game of the World Baseball Classic on Friday, but how they performed in that game has not been reported. Team USA is scheduled to host Great Britain on Saturday in Houston, though the outcome or details of that game remain unknown.
Great Britain’s roster includes Nassau, Bahamas native and Yankees slugger Jazz Chisholm. Eight members of Great Britain's squad have Major League Baseball experience, including co-captain Jazz Chisholm Jr. Jazz Chisholm Jr.
became one of 51 players in MLB history to achieve at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the same season in 2025. GB performance director Gary Anderson said, 'Jazz asked us (to come back). ' San Francisco Giants pitcher Tristan Beck and his brother Brendan are representing Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic.
The Beck brothers have a strong connection to Great Britain through their mother, who is 100% British, and a Welsh grandfather. ' The specific eligibility rules for players representing countries like Great Britain or Brazil in the World Baseball Classic are not detailed in available reports. What impact GB's 2023 achievement had on recruitment, given stricter eligibility rules, is also unclear.
In other action, Team Brazil put a scare into Team USA in the opening game of the World Baseball Classic on Friday. Lucas Ramirez, son of Manny Ramirez, hit two home runs for Brazil against Team USA on Friday. Lucas Ramirez is playing for Brazil because his mother was born and raised in Sao Paulo.
Manny Ramirez said, 'I was looking forward for him to do something special. ' Lucas Ramirez was a 17th-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in the 2024 draft and played in Class A last season. Joseph Contreras, son of José Contreras, got Aaron Judge to ground into an inning-ending double play for Brazil.
Italy's roster includes many players who are sons of the Italian diaspora in the US. Italy's first game in the World Baseball Classic is scheduled for Saturday against Brazil in Houston. The full roster composition and key players for Italy in the World Baseball Classic have not been specified.