The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to return, with Italy poised to make a significant impact. The tournament, which takes place in March 2026, will showcase the Italian national baseball team. Fans can expect thrilling games and top-notch competition. Here’s an overview of the Italy roster, schedule, and pool details for the upcoming event.
Italy 2026 World Baseball Classic Roster
Managed by Francisco Cervelli from Valencia, Venezuela, the Italian team features a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Below is a breakdown of the roster, categorized by position.
Pitchers
- Sam Aldegheri (24, Verona, ITA) – Los Angeles Angels
- Dan Altavilla (33, Greenock, PA) – St. Paul Saints (AAA)
- Dylan Delucia (25, Daytona Beach, FL) – Columbus Clippers (AAA)
- Alessandro Ercolani (21, Borgo Maggiore, SMR) – Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
- Matt Festa (32, Brooklyn, NY) – Cleveland Guardians
- Gordon Graceffo (25, Wayne, NJ) – St. Louis Cardinals
- Alek Jacob (27, Spokane, WA) – San Diego Padres
- Joe La Sorsa (27, Mount Kisco, NY) – Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
- Michael Lorenzen (34, Anaheim, CA) – Colorado Rockies
- Ron Marinaccio (30, Toms River, NJ) – San Diego Padres
- Kyle Nicolas (26, Massillon, OH) – Pittsburgh Pirates
- Aaron Nola (32, Baton Rouge, LA) – Philadelphia Phillies
- Adam Ottavino (40, New York, NY) – Free Agent
- Gabriele Quattrini (29, Recanati, ITA) – Free Agent
- Greg Weissert (31, Bay Shore, NY) – Boston Red Sox
Catchers
- Alberto Mineo (31, Gorizia, ITA) – Parma Baseball (ITA)
- Kyle Teel (23, Ridgewood, NJ) – Chicago White Sox
Infielders
- Sam Antonacci (22, Springfield, IL) – Birmingham Barons (AA)
- Jon Berti (36, Troy, MI) – Free Agent
- Zach Dezenzo (25, Canton, OH) – Houston Astros
- Andrew Fischer (21, Brick, NJ) – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (A+)
- Giaconino Lasaracina (22, Carupano, VEN) – Parma Baseball (ITA)
- Miles Mastrobuoni (30, San Ramon, CA) – Seattle Mariners
- Vinnie Pasquantino (28, Richmond, VA) – Kansas City Royals
- Thomas Saggese (23, Carlsbad, CA) – St. Louis Cardinals
Outfielders
- Jac Caglianone (22, Tampa, FL) – Kansas City Royals
- Dominic Canzone (28, Cleveland, OH) – Seattle Mariners
- Jakob Marsee (24, Dearborn, MI) – Miami Marlins
- Nick Morabito (22, McLean, VA) – New York Mets
- Dante Nori (21, Toronto, ON, CAN) – Reading Fightin Phils (AA)
Italy’s Game Schedule
The Italy national team will compete in Pool B, which includes the United States, Great Britain, and Brazil. All their games will be held at Daikin Park in Houston.
Match Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Time (Eastern) | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 7, 2026 | Brazil vs. Italy | 1 p.m. | Fox One App |
| March 8, 2026 | Great Britain vs. Italy | 1 p.m. | Tubi |
| March 10, 2026 | Italy vs. USA | 9 p.m. | FS1 |
| March 11, 2026 | Italy vs. Mexico | 7 p.m. | Tubi |
World Baseball Classic Pool Details
The tournament will also feature teams from various pools:
- Pool A (San Juan): Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba, Canada, Colombia
- Pool B (Houston): United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil
- Pool C (Tokyo): Japan, South Korea, Australia, Czechia, Chinese Taipei
- Pool D (Miami): Venezuela, Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua
Stay tuned for updates as the tournament unfolds, where Italy aims to showcase its talent on the international baseball stage. Keep an eye on El-Balad for additional news and coverage on the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
