NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The World Baseball Classic is fast approaching and Team USA is looking to avenge its loss to Team Japan in the final.
Team Japan beat Team USA 3-2 in thrilling fashion to win in 2023, when 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 evening. New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is the captain of Team USA.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Aaron Judge (99) of Team USA looks on during a training session at Papago Park Sports Complex in Phoenix, Arizona, March 2, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
There are five teams in each pool, and each team will play four matches over six days during the pool. The United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil are in Pool B. They will play their pool matches at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.
Eight of the 20 teams will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be played in a single-elimination format. The semi-finals will begin one day after the end of the quarter-finals and the final will be played on Tuesday March 17.
Before Team USA officially begins the tournament, they will face the San Francisco Giants in an exhibition game on Tuesday. Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will start in this game. Team USA will face the Colorado Rockies in an exhibition game on Wednesday.
(L to R) Byron Buxton (25), Kyle Schwarber (12), Roman Anthony (3) and Aaron Judge (99) of Team USA walk from the field during a practice session at the Papago Park sports complex in Phoenix, Arizona, March 2, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Below is a list of Team USA’s schedule during pool play and who will start for them.
Friday, March 6 – USA & Brazil – 8 p.m. ET – FOX/FOX Deportes – Giants ace Logan Webb will start
Saturday, March 7 – Great Britain & USA – 8 p.m. ET – FOX – Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal to start
Sunday, March 8 – Mexico and USA – 8 p.m. ET – FOX/FOXD – Skenes will kick off
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Pitcher Paul Skenes (30) of Team USA throws during a training session at the Papago Park sports complex in Phoenix, Arizona, March 2, 2026. (Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Tuesday, March 10 – Italy & USA – 9 p.m. ET – FS1/FOXD – New York Mets rookie Nolan McLean expected to start
If the United States advances from the group, 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.
Related article
