Team Israel Heads Into World Baseball Classic As Big Underdog

Israel's national baseball team lacks star power but aims to represent its heritage with pride.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Despite not having any major league stars on its roster, Team Israel is set to compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The team is led by former MLB player Kevin Youkilis as bench coach, and features players with Jewish heritage from around the world. While they were unable to recruit top Jewish players like Alex Bregman and Max Fried, the team is focused on representing Israel and having fun in the tournament.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic is a prestigious international baseball tournament that showcases the best players from around the world. For a smaller baseball country like Israel, participating in the WBC is a chance to raise the profile of the sport and connect with the Jewish diaspora globally. Even as an underdog, Team Israel's performance could inspire more young Jewish athletes to take up baseball.

The details

Team Israel's 30-man roster includes 17 pitchers and 13 position players, with only one player - Dean Kremer of the Baltimore Orioles - having appeared on the team's previous WBC rosters. The team tried to recruit top Jewish MLB players like Alex Bregman and Max Fried, but was ultimately unsuccessful. In their previous WBC appearances, Israel had some success in the early rounds before fading later in the tournament.

  • Team Israel will play its World Baseball Classic opener against Venezuela on Saturday.
  • In the 2017 WBC, Israel posted a 3-0 record in Pool A before fading in the second round.
  • In the 2023 WBC, Israel went 1-3 but its win against Nicaragua allowed it to qualify for this year's tournament.

The players

Kevin Youkilis

A retired All-Star third baseman who is serving as the bench coach for Team Israel.

Brad Ausmus

The manager of Team Israel, who previously spent 18 years as a major league catcher and managed the Angels and Tigers.

Dean Kremer

The only player on Team Israel's roster who has appeared on the team's previous WBC rosters, with both of his parents being native Israelis.

Alex Bregman

A top Jewish player in MLB who was recruited by Team Israel but ultimately chose to play for Team USA.

Max Fried

Another top Jewish MLB player who was recruited by Team Israel but decided to focus on preparing for the regular season with the Yankees.

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What they’re saying

“We're utilizing guys who are not at the major-league level. That's the fun part of this team. All of our players have a Jewish heritage. Some are Jewish, some were born in Israel, and some are married to somebody who's Jewish.”

— Kevin Youkilis, Team Israel bench coach (Forbes)

“We definitely recruit. But Bregman went to Team USA and you can't fault him for that. I played for Team USA too and it was pretty cool. You have pride in your heritage but you also have pride in your country. We try to get as many guys as we can but sometimes you fall short. But it's still a lot of fun and a lot of laughs.”

— Kevin Youkilis, Team Israel bench coach (Forbes)

“We tried to get him. He said he wanted to spend the spring getting ready for the regular season. As the bench coach of the Yankees, I can't complain about that.”

— Brad Ausmus, Team Israel manager (Forbes)

What’s next

Team Israel will look to build on its previous WBC performances and continue to grow the sport of baseball within the Jewish community. The team's success or failure in the 2026 tournament could impact its ability to recruit top Jewish talent in the future.

The takeaway

Despite lacking star power, Team Israel's participation in the World Baseball Classic represents an opportunity to celebrate the country's Jewish heritage and inspire the next generation of Jewish baseball players around the world. The team's underdog status adds an element of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.