Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has committed to Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, joining a growing roster of MLB talent highlighted in recent announcements. The 33-year-old slugger, making his senior WBC debut, shared his excitement on Instagram after prior youth team successes.
Bryce Harper announced his commitment on December 23, 2025, via Instagram: “Put the colors on my chest for the 1st time when I was 15. No other feeling like it. I’m excited to announce I will be representing Team USA this year in the WBC. Merica! #forglory.”
This marks Harper's first senior-level WBC appearance, following gold medals with the U.S. 16U team in 2008 and 18U team in 2009. He committed to the 2023 tournament but missed it due to elbow surgery. Team USA lost the 2023 final to Japan, which has won three of five WBCs.
Fresh off a 2025 season with 27 home runs and a .844 OPS in 580 plate appearances (despite a wrist injury), Harper adds power alongside Phillies teammate Kyle Schwarber and other stars like captain Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang, catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith, and pitchers Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Mason Miller—building on earlier commitments.
The tournament runs March 5-17, 2026, across Houston, Miami, Tokyo, and San Juan. Team USA is in Pool B at Houston's Daikin Park, facing Britain, Brazil, Italy, and Mexico (starting vs. Brazil on March 6 at 8 p.m. ET). The U.S. last won in 2017.
Harper also eyes the 2028 Olympics if MLB participates, calling it a 'lifelong dream' in a June 2024 interview.
