Great Britain World Baseball Classic roster: Jazz Chisholm, Klay Thompson's brother headline 2026 WBC team

Great Britain World Baseball Classic roster: Jazz Chisholm, Klay Thompson's brother headline 2026 WBC team
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Great Britain World Baseball Classic roster: Jazz Chisholm, Klay Thompson's brother headline 2026 WBC team originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After a historic debut in 2023 that saw them secure their first-ever win against Colombia, Great Britain enters the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a new look and higher expectations. This year marks the first time the team has automatically qualified for the tournament, and they are bringing a roster that blends the elite speed of their previous squad with a significant influx of major-league talent.

The most notable addition is All-Star infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., who joins the roster as a co-captain alongside breakout star Harry Ford. Now with the Washington Nationals, Ford remains the heart of the team after a dominant 2023 performance. The squad also features a massive boost to the rotation with the addition of brothers Tristan and Brendan Beck, giving Great Britain a legitimate frontline pitching presence to match their explosive outfield.

Here's the complete roster for Great Britain in their second Word Baseball Classic.

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Great Britain World Baseball Classic roster 2026

Pitchers

PlayerTeamThrows
Jack AndersonBoston Red SoxR
Brendan BeckNew York YankeesR
Tristan BeckSan Francisco GiantsR
Donovan BenoitCincinnati RedsR
Chavez FernanderDetroit TigersR
Gary Gill HillTampa Bay RaysR
Joseph KingSt. Louis CardinalsR
Antonio KnowlesLos Angeles DodgersR
Miles LanghorneMilwaukee BrewersR
Ryan LongBaltimore OriolesR
Michael PetersenMiami MarlinsR
Jack SeppingsMilwaukee BrewersR
Graham SprakerFree AgentR
Najer VictorLos Angeles AngelsR
Tyler VizaMinnesota TwinsR
Nick WellsFree AgentL
Owen WildTampa Bay RaysR
Vance WorleyFree AgentR

Catchers

PlayerTeamBats/Throws
Willis CresswellToronto Blue JaysR/R
Harry FordWashington NationalsR/R

Infielders

PlayerTeamPositionBats/Throws
Jazz Chisholm Jr.New York YankeesINFL/R
Nate EatonBoston Red SoxINFR/R
Lucius FoxFree AgentINFS/R
Ivan JohnsonCincinnati RedsINFS/R
Ian Lewis Jr.Miami MarlinsINFR/R
BJ MurrayChicago CubsINFS/R
Nick WardPhiladelphia PhilliesINFL/R
Justin WylieFree AgentINFR/R

Outfielders

PlayerTeamPositionBats/Throws
Matt KoperniakSt. Louis CardinalsOFL/R
Kristian RobinsonArizona DiamondbacksOFR/R
Anfernee SeymourFree AgentOFS/R
Darnell SweeneyFree AgentOFS/R
Trayce ThompsonFree AgentOFR/R

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Great Britain players to watch in World Baseball Classic

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is the biggest star to ever wear a Great Britain uniform. The Bahamian-born standout brings elite power and speed to the top of the order, providing the kind of game-changing athleticism that could propel Team GB into the knockout stages. He is joined by Harry Ford, who became a national hero in 2023 and has since made his MLB debut, cementing his status as one of the premier young catchers in the world.

In the outfield, Trayce Thompson, the brother of NBA Star Klay, returns to provide veteran power and leadership. He is flanked by Matt Koperniak, a St. Louis Cardinals prospect who has been rising through the ranks, and speedster Anfernee Seymour. The team’s philosophy remains built on pressure; with the base-stealing abilities of Lucius Fox and Darnell Sweeney, Great Britain looks to be one of the most aggressive teams on the basepaths in Houston.

The pitching staff is headlined by Tristan Beck of the San Francisco Giants and his brother Brendan Beck, a top pitching prospect in the Yankees' system. They are supported by returning veterans like Vance Worley, who brings over 600 innings of MLB experience, and hard-throwing relievers like Michael Petersen and Tahnaj Thomas.

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Who is coaching Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic?

Great Britain is led by a new manager for the 2026 cycle, with British Baseball Hall of Famer Brad Marcelino taking the reins. Marcelino, who grew up in Enfield and is currently a hitting coordinator for the Arizona Diamondbacks, represents a shift toward homegrown leadership. He replaces Drew Spencer, who stepped down after guiding the team through its historic 2023 run.

The coaching staff features several familiar faces from the 2023 tournament alongside new tactical minds:

  • Brad Marcelino (Manager)
  • Liam Carroll (Bench Coach)
  • Zach Graefser (Pitching Coach)
  • Antoan Richardson (Bench Coach)
  • Albert Cartwright (First Base Coach)
  • TS Reed (Third Base Coach)
  • Jonathon Cramman (Hitting Coach)

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Great Britain World Baseball Classic history

Great Britain successfully moved from newcomer to competitor in 2023. After sweeping through the 2022 Qualifiers, they pulled off a stunning 7-5 upset over Colombia in pool play. Because the United States subsequently defeated Colombia, Great Britain finished fourth in their pool, which granted them automatic qualification for the 2026 tournament — sparing them from the qualifying rounds for the first time.

YearResultFinal Game
2013Did not qualify16-1 loss to Germany
2017Did not qualify9-1 loss to Israel
2023Eliminated in pools2-1 loss to Mexico
2026QualifiedTBD

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Great Britain World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule

Great Britain will compete in Pool B at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. They face a difficult path that begins with a rematch against the team that eliminated them in 2023: Mexico.

DateGameTime (ET)Channel (U.S.)
Mar. 6Mexico vs. Great Britain1:00 p.m.FS1
Mar. 7Great Britain vs. USA8:00 p.m.FS1 
Mar. 8Great Britain vs. Italy1:00 p.m.FS2 
Mar. 9Brazil vs. Great Britain1:00 p.m.FS2