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The World Baseball Classic is right around the corner and Team USA is looking to avenge its loss to Team Japan in the finals.
Team Japan beat Team USA 3-2 in thrilling fashion to win in 2023, as Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout in an electric battle to end the game. Ohtani and Trout were teammates on the Los Angeles Angels at the time of the game.
The tournament begins Wednesday, March 4, but Team USA doesn’t play until Friday night. New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is the captain of Team USA.
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Aaron Judge (99) of Team USA watches during training at the Papago Park Sports Complex in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 2, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
There are five teams in each group and each team will play four matches over six days during pool play. The United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil are in Group B. They will play their group matches at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.
Eight of the 20 teams will advance to the quarterfinals, which are single-elimination. The semi-finals begin one day after the quarter-finals finish and the final will be played on Tuesday, March 17.
Before Team USA officially begins the tournament, it will play the San Francisco Giants in an exhibition game on Tuesday. Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will start that game. Team USA will play the Colorado Rockies in an exhibition game on Wednesday.
(L-R) Byron Buxton (25), Kyle Schwarber (12), Roman Anthony (3) and Aaron Judge (99) of Team USA walk from the field during training at the Papago Park Sports Complex in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 2, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Below is a list of Team USA’s schedule during pool play and who will be starting.
Friday, March 6 – USA and Brazil – 8 pm ET – FOX/FOX Deportes – Giants ace Logan Webb to start
Saturday, March 7 – Great Britain and USA – 8 pm ET – FOX – Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal to start
Sunday, March 8 – Mexico and United States – 8 pm ET – FOX/FOXD – Skenes will begin
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Pitcher Paul Skenes (30) of Team USA throws during a workout at the Papago Park Sports Complex in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 2, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Tuesday, March 10 – Italy and USA – 9 pm ET – FS1/FOXD – New York Mets rookie Nolan McLean scheduled to start
If the United States advances out of pool play, the quarterfinals will begin on Friday, March 13.
The FOX Sports family of networks (FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes), the FOX Sports app and Tubi will combine to broadcast all 47 games of the World Baseball Classic.
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