CANCÚN, Mexico – USA Baseball’s 15U National Team is set to begin its pursuit of a third World Cup title at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-15 Baseball World Cup from September 25 to October 4 in Mexico.

HISTORY IN WORLD CUPS

Historically, the 15U National Team has found profound success in World Cup settings, owning a 32-5 record while winning four medals across four World Cup appearances. This year, the program is in pursuit of its third World Cup title in program history and eighth gold medal in international competition. The United States captured its first World Cup at the 15-and-under level in 2018, while its last title came in the team’s last World Cup appearance in 2022 under then-manager Drew Briese and assistant coach Steve Butler. Additionally, in four World Cup appearances, the 15U National Team has outscored opponents 379-102.

In its 2022 campaign, the U.S. competed in Hermosillo, Mexico, posting an 8-1 record en route to capturing its sixth gold medal. Across nine games, Team USA scored double digits on five occasions, including the semifinal contest, where the stars and stripes won 11-1. In the gold medal game against Cuba, Ethan Holliday provided the go-ahead run with an RBI in the fifth inning to help the United States win 4-3 and hoist the World Cup trophy.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

The 15U National Team is no stranger to competing in Mexico. Four of the program’s seven gold medals in international competition have come in events played in Mexico, including last year’s gold-medal run in Ciudad Juárez where the stars and stripes posted a 4-0 record. The 15U National Team is currently riding an 18-game winning streak, dating back to the summer of 2022.

Since the program’s inception in 2012, the 15U National Team boasts a 77-8 record in international competition. Additionally, the 15U National Team has consistently developed, and churned out top-tier talent such as Pete Crow-Armstrong, Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn, and 2023 Golden Spikes Award recipient Dylan Crews.

THE FIELD

The WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup features 12 nations and is set for September 25 to October 4.

Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela will play alongside Team USA in Group B, while Cuba, Dominican Republic, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, and the defending champion, Japan, make up Group A.

Historically, the 15U National Team is a combined 17-1 against teams in Group B, with its only loss coming against Chinese Taipei in the 2018 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup.

Czechia and Germany were among the first two teams to qualify for the World Cup, with Germany defeating Czechia, 12-2, in the U-15 European Championship Final in July 2025. In addition, Chinese Taipei and the defending champion Japan clinched a World Cup berth after the former shut out the latter in the BFA U-15 Asian Championship. Cuba and the Dominican Republic will represent the Caribbean region, Venezuela qualified after winning the South American qualifier, and Australia beat Guam to win the Oceania qualifier. South Africa went undefeated against Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda to win the Africa qualifier, while the United States went undefeated in the North America and Central America qualifier to secure a berth. Additionally, Mexico is set to compete as the tournament host.

The top three finishers from each group after group play in the Opening Round will advance to the Super Round, which is set to begin October 1 in Mérida, while the Medal Round will take place on October 4.

BIG STAGE, BIG STADIUMS

The WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup will be played in two locations: Cancún, Quintana Roo, and Mérida, Yucatán. In the Opening Round (September 25-29), Group B, including Team USA, will compete at Estadio Beto Ávila, while the Super Round and Medal Round (October 1-4) will take place at Parque Kukulcán Alamo, in Mérida.

Both stadiums are established venues and home to teams in the Mexican Baseball League. Estadio Beto Ávila is home to the Tigres de Quintana Roo, while Parque Kukulcán Alamo is home to the Leones de Yucatán. The former, founded in 1955, has a 10,285 person capacity, while the latter was founded in 1954 and boasts a capacity of 16,000 spectators.

THE ROSTER

The 2026 roster features seven USA Baseball national team alumni, with all seven having been on either the 2023 12U National Team World Cup Qualifier roster, World Cup roster, or both. Eleven players on the roster have participated in USA Baseball national team development programming, while one player boasts experience in past development events jointly hosted in partnership with Major League Baseball. Twelve states are represented on the 2026 15U National Team roster, with California leading all states with four players, while Alabama follows with three players. Florida and Texas each boast a pair of athletes, while nine states–Arizona, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin–each account for a player apiece. More information on the 2026 15U National Team Roster can be found HERE.

AT THE HELM

The 2026 15U National Team will be led by the same coaching staff that guided last year’s gold medal-winning squad. Three-time Team USA coach Casey Scott returns as manager for a second consecutive summer, while two-time Team USA medalist and former 15U National Team manager Drew Briese serves as pitching coach. Four-time assistant coach Steve Butler returns to the dugout, and JD Pruitt will make his second straight stint as assistant coach. More information on the 2026 15U National Team coaching staff can be found HERE.

ON DECK

The United States opens WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup group play against Czechia on September 25 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Estadio Beto Ávila in Cancún, Mexico. For more information on the schedule including live statistics and streaming, visit HERE.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To stay up to date with the USA Baseball 15U National Team, follow along with @USABaseball15U on Twitter/X, and @USABaseball on Instagram.