USA Baseball announced that Schwarber will return to the U.S. roster for a second consecutive tournament, bringing back one of the central figures of the Americans’ 2023 run to the championship game. Schwarber’s thunderous home run off Yu Darvish in the eighth inning of that final — a no-doubt blast that seemed to lift the entire ballpark — remains one of the enduring images of the event.
Manager Mark DeRosa, who is returning to lead Team USA in 2026, made it clear Schwarber was at the top of his list from the moment the roster-building process began. “I love him,” DeRosa said. “How can you not? Not just as a player, but as a leader. He was one of the first calls I made.”
DeRosa has spoken openly in recent days about the balance he wants between star power, experience, and personality as he assembles a roster he believes can take back the WBC crown. Schwarber, he said, fits everything he’s looking for. “Talent wins the day, but it has to make sense from a chemistry standpoint, too,” DeRosa said. “Kyle checks both boxes for us.”
The commitment is another significant piece for a U.S. team that has already begun to take the shape of a contender. In recent weeks, a steady wave of stars has confirmed their participation, including captain Aaron Judge, along with Paul Skenes, Bobby Witt Jr., Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Gunnar Henderson, Will Smith, Cal Raleigh, Brice Turang, Garrett Whitlock, and Matthew Boyd — a blend of established performers and emerging talent that gives the Americans a deeper and more dynamic core than they fielded in 2023. Schwarber’s presence enhances the heart of the order and reinforces a leadership group that DeRosa has described as essential to the identity he is trying to build.
For Schwarber, the return to the WBC also means a return to the ballpark where he made his loudest impact. The 2026 tournament will again funnel into Miami’s loanDepot Park, the site of Team USA’s electric 2023 run and the scene of Schwarber’s late-game home run that nearly altered the outcome of the final.
The 2026 event will begin on March 5 and span four countries, with the semifinals and championship staged once again in South Florida.
Schwarber’s addition gives Team USA another accomplished, battle-tested hitter with a demonstrated knack for producing in high-pressure moments. More importantly for DeRosa, it gives the clubhouse a voice he trusts — one who has already shown he can blend seamlessly with stars from around the league.
With several months remaining before final rosters are due, Team USA is still far from complete. But on Tuesday, it added one of the most important pieces a contending roster can have: a hitter who changes games, a leader who elevates others, and a player whose presence tends to make teams feel a little more dangerous.
And once again, Kyle Schwarber will head to the World Baseball Classic wearing “USA” across his chest.
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