Inside Mexico’s baseball team: A complete roster and more about 2026 World Baseball Classic team originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Mexico has qualified for every World Baseball Classic.

In the inaugural tournament, Team Mexico reached the quarterfinals but was eliminated, finishing sixth overall. Their best finish came at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, when they advanced to the semifinals but faced eventual champion Japan. Japan won the game 6-5, moving on to the championship matchup against the United States.

Mexico faces a tough group in 2026, taking on Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, and the United States in round-robin play. The good news is that Team Mexico only needs to finish as one of the top two teams in pool play to advance to the knockout stage. With the bracket setup, teams from the same pool are placed in different brackets, so if Mexico and the U.S. both advance, they could only meet in the finals.

Here’s everything to know about Mexico’s World Baseball Classic roster.

MORE: Updated rosters for every World Baseball Classic team

Mexico World Baseball Classic 2026 roster

Team Mexico consists of 30 players, and they opted to split the roster with 15 pitchers and 15 hitters. Jose Urquidy was originally announced to be on the roster, but he was denied the required insurance to participate based on his injury history so he was replaced. 

Pitchers

Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders

MORE: Oldest players to play in MLB game

Mexico players to watch in World Baseball Classic

One of the biggest storylines for Mexico will be which starters step up. Taj Bradley and Taijuan Walker have the most MLB experience, but someone else is going to have to eat innings before turning it over to the superior bullpen.

Mexico’s lineup should have plenty of pop. Alejandro Kirk, Joey Meneses, Rowdy Tellez, Randy Arozarena and Jarren Duran should help give the pitching staff ample run support. 

MORE: 9 worst ‘Take Me Out To The Ballgame” performances

Who is coaching Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic?

Benji Gil will be managing Team Mexico at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He spent 1993 to 1997 with the Texas Rangers and then 2000 to 2003 with the Los Angeles Angels. Gil was the manager for Mexico at the 2020 Summer Olympics and then managed them again for the 2023 World Baseball Classic where they took the bronze. 

MLB fans will likely be most familiar with bench coach Vinny Castilla, who played in the majors from 1991 to 2006. The other member of Gil’s coaching staff are Jacob Cruz (hitting coach), Roberto Magallanes (hitting coach), Elmer Dessens (pitching coach), Horacio Ramirez (pitching coach), Gil Velazquez (first base coach), Tony Perezchica (third base coach), Manny Del Campo (bullpen coach) and Santiago Chavez (bullpen catcher). 

MORE: 16 NFL stars drafted by MLB teams

Mexico World Baseball Classic history

Mexico has qualified for all five World Baseball Classics heading into the 2026 tournament. They started off well, finishing sixth and making the quarterfinals in 2006. Team Mexico then took a step back in 2009 finishing eighth. They continued to slide in 2013 and 2017, finishing 11th and 13th respectively after not making it out of the first round. 

In 2023, Mexico made it to the semifinals. They played Team Japan, but lost 6-5. Still, it was Team Mexico’s best finish so far at the World Baseball Classic. 

MORE: Who didn’t vote for Ichiro for the Hall of Fame?

Mexico World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule