Team Mexico is preparing to face Great Britain in the opening game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The match will take place at Daikin Park on Friday at 1 p.m. ET/12 CT and will be broadcast nationally on FS1. Fans can also access a free English-language audio stream for every game.
Mexico, which reached the semifinals for the first time in 2023 and narrowly lost to eventual champion Japan, enters this year’s tournament with high expectations. Their roster features several returning players from the previous Classic, including Jarren Duran (Red Sox), Jonathan Aranda (Rays), and Javier Assad (Cubs). New additions include closer Andrés Muñoz (Mariners), Joey Ortiz (Brewers), Robert Garcia (Rangers), and Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays), who missed the last tournament.
Great Britain is making its second appearance in the World Baseball Classic after qualifying for the first time in 2023. Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., originally from the Bahamas, leads their roster. Chisholm previously played for Great Britain as an 18-year-old during the 2016 WBC qualifiers.
“It feels great,” Chisholm Jr. said Thursday. “I was trying to put [the jersey] back on three years ago, but wasn’t able to. Now that I am able to wear it again, it feels good, putting on the GB uniform and going out there and playing in the WBC.”
Michael Petersen, who participated in the 2023 WBC and made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 2024 before joining both the Braves and Marlins, returns to Great Britain’s team.
This matchup marks the first meeting between Mexico and Great Britain in World Baseball Classic history. Great Britain has limited experience at this level since this is only its second participation in the tournament.
