Clayton Kershaw commits to Team USA for 2026 World Baseball Classic

Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw will suit up for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, USA Baseball announced Thursday.

The 2026 tournament will mark Kershaw’s first appearance in the global competition. The veteran pitcher was forced to withdraw from the 2023 event due to insurance-related issues.

The World Baseball Classic is scheduled to take place from March 5-17, 2026, with games hosted in Houston, Miami, Tokyo, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Kershaw, 37, has announced his intention to retire following the 2025 MLB season. He has spent his entire 18-year career with the Dodgers, winning two World Series championships in 2020 and 2025. His decorated career also includes 11 All-Star selections and three Cy Young Awards.

The American roster will also feature star players Paul Skenes, Aaron Judge, and Bryce Harper.

Team USA is scheduled to play two exhibition games in early March before beginning tournament play against Brazil on March 6 in Houston.

Clayton Kershaw’s decision to join the World Baseball Classic (WBC) roster immediately following his retirement marks a seminal moment for both the legendary pitcher and the tournament’s institutional standing. For Kershaw, arguably the preeminent southpaw of his generation, the move represents a "last dance" on the international stage—a final opportunity to secure the one accolade missing from his storied legacy: a championship earned while representing his country.

Beyond the personal narrative, Kershaw’s commitment serves as a significant injection of credibility for the WBC. Despite its growing commercial footprint, the tournament has historically struggled to recruit top-tier MLB talent, as players and franchises often prioritize injury prevention over international play ahead of the regular season. By enlisting a figure of Kershaw’s stature, the WBC signals its evolution from a peripheral exhibition into a marquee event with genuine prestige. His participation sends a clear message to the league: the tournament is no longer a secondary warm-up, but a high-stakes competition.

Kershaw’s presence on the United States roster also provides a critical psychological shift following the team's narrow defeat to Japan in the 2023 final. His veteran leadership and extensive postseason experience offer more than just tactical depth; they provide a stabilizing force for a younger generation of players. Ultimately, this partnership serves as a mutual strategic victory: it allows Kershaw a grand finale to a peerless career while providing the WBC with the elite star power necessary to further elevate the tournament's global brand.

For many Vietnamese Americans—particularly the younger generation and families throughout Southern California—baseball is a cornerstone of the local sports culture. The Los Angeles Dodgers have a massive, loyal following within the community, and the team is a frequent topic of conversation from the dinner table to the local nail salon. As a result, seeing a franchise icon like Clayton Kershaw represent Team USA is a significant event for these fans, further cementing the bond between the diaspora in Little Saigon and America’s pastime.