Great Britain opens the World Baseball Classic today at 6 PM GMT – the second-ever appearance for the programme in baseball’s World Cup. Here’s everything you need to know before GB takes the world stage – and looks to upend the baseball world.
The World Baseball Classic
This is the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic, with the first in 2006. Japan are the reigning champions and have won the most titles, with three in the past twenty years. Pool B opponent the United States won the 2017 edition, with Puerto Rico also hoisting the trophy. Sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), the international governing body of baseball, the World Baseball Classic serves as the sports’ World Cup. Additionally, and for the first time ever, this year’s Classic also serves as an Olympic qualifier for the Americas – with the top two teams from that region, along with the LA 2028 host USA, qualifying at the end of the tournament.
Great Britain is 1-3 all time at the Classic – but holds the first-ever World Championship in Baseball, winning the 1938 Amateur World Series over the United States (!) 4 games to 1 to win the John Moores Cup.
Pool B Opponents
Great Britain will face familiar friends from the 2023 Classic in the US and Mexico, and a very familiar foe in European rival Italy, before facing Brazil to wrap pool play. All time, Great Britain is…
- 0-1 vs. Mexico, with the lone game the final matchup of the 2023 Classic
- 4-2 against the United States, with the aforementioned World Championship victory in 1938.
- 1-7 against Italy – but with the first victory coming in their last matchup in 2023 at the European Championship in Czechia.
- 1-0 against Brazil
All statistics courtesy of Project Cobb – www.projectcobb.org.uk
Players to Watch
Jazz Chisholm Jr. – The Prodigal Son returns to Great Britain after a 10-year absence and a 30/30 season for the New York Yankees. Co-Captaining the squad and participating in his first World Baseball Classic, Chisholm will be one of the catalysts of the GB offense.
Harry Ford – Now 23 years old and three years removed from his epic Classic debut, the now-Washington Nationals catcher will backstop Great Britain once again. One of the leading hitters from the last edition of the Classic, and now in a leadership role as Co-Captain
The Brothers Beck – Tristan may have the MLB experience over brother Brendan, but the Stanford graduates will both debut for GB at this year’s Classic. With Brendan the started and Tristan the reliever, look for this duo to have a major role in Great Britain’s Pool play.
Kristian Robinson – Robinson is one of the most intriguing players to join Great Britain for this World Baseball Classic. With a decade of experience in professional baseball at just 25 years old, look for Robinson to surprise and delight GB fans.
Nick Ward – the heart and soul of Great Britain Baseball, Ward is back for one last ride – after intending to retire following the 2025-26 Australian Baseball League season. A batting title and a Claxton Shield Championship for Adelaide led to a call to return to Great Britain for the Classic.
When and How to Watch
Great Britain’s games will be played in Houston, with the added complication of American Daylight Savings Time taking place on the morning of 8 March locally – so we’ve listed the UK times for each game here. All of GB’s games will be on TNT Sports, with the quarterfinals, semifinals and final also to be broadcast, regardless of the participants. Great Britain’s games will take place as follow:
6 March vs. Mexico – 6 PM GMT / 1 PM CST (and join us for one of our Great Britain-wide Watch Parties – details here)
7 March vs. USA – will take place at 1 PM GMT on 8 March in the UK, 7 PM CST in Houston.
8 March vs. Italy – 5 PM GMT/ 1 PM CDT
9 March vs. Brazil – 5 PM GMT/ 1 PM CDT
Support the Squad!
The team, coaches and staff have been overwhelmed with messages of support and well wishes. If you’d like to get involved, during a game or otherwise, use our hashtag #allinGB and tag GB_baseball wherever you can.
Let’s go shock the world, Great Britain #allinGB