Road to the 2027 WBSC U‑18 World Cup
USA Baseball announced the 20‑player roster that will represent the United States at the 2026 WBSC Americas U‑18 Pan American Championship, a tournament scheduled for October 22‑29 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The team, coached by Brian Schneider, features a mix of fresh talent and athletes who have already tasted international competition.
The selection followed Training Camp Phase 2, which narrowed a pool of 46 candidates down to the final 20. Among those called up are Isaac Vidal, who will wear the USA uniform for the third time after stints with the 12U and 15U national squads, and Samir Mohammed, returning for his second appearance after a 2023 15U stint. Cooper Collins rejoins the roster after a 2024 15U experience, reuniting with Vidal and adding depth to the infield.
Nine players on the squad have progressed through USA Baseball’s development pathways, including the National Team Development Program and the Amateur Development Program. Four others bring MLB‑affiliated exposure from events such as the MLB ID Tour, the DREAM Series and the Hank Aaron Invitational. The roster also boasts 14 participants from the 2026 MLB High School All‑American Game in Dyersville, Iowa, underscoring the talent pool drawn from across the country.
Group A of the tournament will pit the United States against Brazil, Curaçao and the Dominican Republic. The U.S. enters as the defending champion of the past two Pan American editions, having posted an 8‑0 record in those tournaments. This year’s competition marks the first time the 18U National Team will play on Dominican soil, and the coaching staff is targeting a 19th gold medal.
Beyond the immediate tournament, the event serves as a qualifier for the 2027 WBSC U‑18 Baseball World Cup, which will be staged in Pingtan, China. A strong showing in Santo Domingo could position the United States for another deep run on the world stage.
The final roster also includes Malachi Butler, Andrew Carlson, Sebastian Castillo, Chase Fuller and Ethan Gustus, each of whom brings notable development and national‑team experience that should bolster the team’s depth and competitiveness.