Yankees' Aaron Judge to Play for Team USA in 2026 World Baseball Classic

USA Baseball and Major League Baseball announced Monday that Aaron Judge will represent the United States at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and serve as the team's captain.

"I was looking forward to this opportunity," Judge said during an appearance on MLB Network. "Getting to represent and be the captain, something that [Mike Trout] did the last time, is a pretty special honor."

Judge did not participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, choosing to focus on the MLB season after signing his nine-year, $360 million contract.

"It would be an honor to represent my country and play in that," he told Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports at the time. "But my main goal is what I can do here in New York and what I can do to bring a championship back here. I think especially after signing a nine-year contract, for me, priorities are New York. Maybe four years down the road, hopefully I can still make the team and get an opportunity to play. But right now for me, my focus is here."

The New York Yankees likely weren't mad at that decision—Judge went on to hit 37 homers in 106 games during the 2023 campaign and an MLB-leading 58 homers and 144 RBI last year, winning his second AL MVP.

This time around, however, Judge is keen to represent the United States.

The tournament will be held between Thursday, March 5, of next year and Tuesday, March 17. The United States will be in Pool B, alongside Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil.

Team USA will be managed by former MLB player Mark DeRosa, with Skip Schumaker (bench coach), Andy Pettitte (pitching coach), Matt Holliday (hitting coach), Dino Ebel (third base coach), George Lombard (first base coach), Fredi González (assistant manager), David Ross (bullpen coach), Brian McCann (assistant manager) and Michael Young (assistant manager) joining his staff.