Bryce Harper has announced he will represent the United States in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Bryce Harper deeply knows the experience of representing his country on the diamond. This Philadelphia star played for the U.S. under-16 and under-18 national teams in 2008 and 2009, securing gold medals on both occasions.

More than fifteen years later, Harper is prepared to don the USA uniform again. He announced today his intention to be part of the United States roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).

“Wearing my country’s colors on my chest for the first time at age 15 was an unforgettable feeling,” Harper wrote on his personal Instagram. “I’m thrilled to announce that this year I will be representing Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Go USA! #ForTheGlory”

The USA Baseball Association has yet to officially confirm Harper’s selection, and the World Baseball Classic roster may still undergo changes.

Harper had originally committed to playing in the 2023 World Baseball Classic but was unable to participate due to elbow surgery after the 2022 season. In that tournament, the United States lost to Japan in the final — a team that has won three of the five Classic championships.

Now 33 years old, Harper just finished a season with 27 home runs and an OPS of 0.844 over 580 plate appearances. He will join a star-studded squad including three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge, teammate Kyle Schwarber from Philadelphia, and 2025 AL and NL Cy Young Award winners Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes.

Team USA will open their Group B campaign on March 7, 2026, at 9 a.m. Beijing time (March 6, 8 p.m. Eastern Time) at Houston’s Minute Maid Park, facing Brazil as their first opponent.