LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – The British Baseball Federation and Olympic Head Coach Bradley Marcelino have announced that New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. intends to play for Great Britain at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Great Britain will play in Houston starting on 6 March 2026 in Pool B along with the United States, Italy, Brazil and Mexico.
“Having Jazz back in the World Baseball Classic and wearing the Great Britain jersey again is special,” said Marcelino. “He brings a real competitive presence on the field, and moments like this matter for young British players following the game back home. We’re looking forward to having him back with us for the first time since 2016.”
Chisholm intends to participate in the World Baseball Classic for Great Britain for the first time, which would mark his first appearance for GBR since the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Brooklyn, NY. The Nassau, Bahamas native has played 576 Major League games for the Yankees and Miami Marlins after making his MLB debut in September 2020. Across his five-year career, Chisholm Jr., who plays both infield and outfield, has tallied 108 career home runs and 130 stolen bases. In 2025, Chisholm Jr. played in 130 games, the second most of his career, setting career highs in home runs (31) and runs batted in (80), and became one of just 51 players in MLB history to notch 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season, joining the 30/30 club.
Speaking about his return to the Great Britain programme, Chisholm was ecstatic, “I’m so happy and honoured to play for Great Britain in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. I’ve been part of the programme since I was 18 years old, starting with the qualifiers in 2016, and I can’t wait to play with this team on the big stage!”
The full Great Britain Baseball roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic will be announced on a special edition of MLB Tonight on MLB Network on Thursday, 5 February at 7 PM EST (Friday 6 February at midnight GMT).
The World Baseball Classic is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) as the sport’s official National Team World Championship. This is Great Britain’s second appearance at the World Baseball Classic, following their debut at the 2023 edition. For more information, please visit mlb.com/world-baseball-classic.
For the latest news and notes from GB Baseball at the World Baseball Classic, make sure to follow Great Britain Baseball on Facebook, gb_baseball on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, TikTok at @gbbaseball, and on the British Baseball Federation website, britishbaseball.org.uk.
– #LetsGoGB –