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The powerful slugger Aaron Judge has been named captain of the United States team for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), as announced by manager Mark DeRosa in statements to MLB.
With this designation, Judge, regarded as one of the best hitters on the planet, becomes the first player confirmed to represent the stars and stripes at the global event.
The gardener, who will make his debut in a World Baseball Classic, will take over from the phenomenal Mike Trout, captain in the 2023 edition, where the United States fell in the final against Japan in a dramatic finish.
From captaincy in the Yankees to leading an entire country
The Yankees' outfielder signed a 360 million dollar contract for nine years in 2022 and was named the 16th captain in the history of the New York franchise, which is why he did not participate in the WBC 2023. This time, however, he will lead the U.S. team from day one.
Mark DeRosa mentioned that he consulted with Mike Trout before officially naming Judge as captain. The Angels star's response was clear: "He should be."
Then, the journey begins for revenge. The United States reached the final of the 2023 WBC, but was surpassed by the powerful team from Japan. Now, with Judge at the helm, the goal is clear: to conquer gold in 2026.
The so-called "Captain America" is just the first of a group filled with formidable players who will represent the northern nation in the competition. In addition to the Japanese, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and South Korea will have extremely competitive teams. Following that batch, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Cuba can be mentioned.
The groups were formed as follows:
Group A (San Juan, Puerto Rico): Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, Colombia.
Group B (Houston, Texas): United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil.
Group C (Tokyo, Japan): Japan, South Korea, Australia, Czech Republic, Chinese Taipei.
Group D (Miami, Florida): Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 World Baseball Classic and Aaron Judge's Participation
Who will be the captain of Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
Aaron Judge has been named captain of the United States team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The Yankees outfielder, known for his power at the plate, will lead the American team in its quest for gold.
What is Team USA's goal in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
The goal of Team USA is to conquer gold in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, after having been defeated by Japan in the 2023 final. With Aaron Judge at the helm, the team is seeking revenge and aims to be the best in the world.
How are the groups for the 2026 World Baseball Classic structured?
The groups for the 2026 World Baseball Classic are as follows: Group A: Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, Colombia; Group B: United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil; Group C: Japan, South Korea, Australia, Czech Republic, Chinese Taipei; Group D: Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua. Each team will play against the other teams in its group once, and the top two from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
What is the situation of the Cuban team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
Cuba will face a highly competitive first round in Group A, known as the "group of death," alongside Puerto Rico, Canada, Panama, and Colombia. The Cuban team will need a U.S. visa to enter Puerto Rico, which could complicate their participation due to the current diplomatic tensions.
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