HOUSTON – Italy’s quest for World Baseball Classic glory begins tonight at Minute Maid Park (also known as Daikin Park) in Houston, Texas, as they face Brazil in their opening game of the 2026 tournament. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM local time (11:00 PM UTC). This marks Italy’s participation in every World Baseball Classic since its inception, a testament to the program’s consistent presence on the international stage.
Manager Francisco Cervelli has assembled a roster bolstered by Major League Baseball talent, creating expectations for a strong showing in a challenging pool that also includes the United States, and Mexico. While Brazil features some intriguing prospects, they currently lack the established MLB presence of the Italian squad, making this opening contest a favorable matchup for Gli Azzurri.
Italy enters the tournament with positive momentum, having secured a victory against the Chicago Cubs and a narrow defeat to the Los Angeles Angels in recent exhibition games. A key storyline heading into the game is the historic start for pitcher Samuel Aldegheri.
Aldegheri Makes History for Italian Baseball
Tonight, Samuel Aldegheri will become the first pitcher born and developed in Italy to start a game on the mound in Major League Baseball, a significant milestone for the growth of the sport within the country. Aldegheri, who currently pitches for the Los Angeles Angels, represents a new wave of Italian-born talent reaching the highest levels of the game. His presence is already having a positive impact, serving as an inspiration for aspiring players back home.
“It means a lot, you know, it means like we’re doing something right,” Cervelli said, speaking to journalists Jon Morosi and Roberto Angotti. “He earned it and is the face of Italian baseball right now. I hope we get more like him playing professionally.”
The significance of Aldegheri’s achievement extends beyond his individual success. It underscores Cervelli’s broader vision for the Italian national team: to cultivate homegrown talent and build a sustainable pipeline of players. The manager has emphasized the need to preserve Italian players active in tournaments, even during the offseason, to maintain their development and competitiveness.
Cervelli’s Vision for Italian Baseball
Francisco Cervelli, a former Yankees catcher, took the helm of the Italian national team in January 2025, embarking on a journey to reconnect with his family’s heritage and revitalize the program. He’s spent the past year traveling throughout Italy, scouting players and instilling a renewed sense of pride and purpose within the team. His approach is a departure from the past, replacing Hall of Famer Mike Piazza as part of a larger leadership overhaul within the Federation of Italian Baseball and Softball (FIBS).
The change in leadership comes after Team Italy finished ninth in the 2023 European Championship, their worst result since 2007. FIBS president Marco Mazzieri has publicly stated his ambition to “wake up the baseball world that was sleeping for the last eight years.” Cervelli’s intensity and commitment to the program are seen as crucial to achieving that goal.
“It’s not vacation time,” Cervelli told MLB.com. “It’s real. For me, this is fun, but it’s also serious. I carry it in my chest, the flag that I respect. It’s part of my blood. I want to have players that really want to play.”
What to Expect from Italy in the Tournament
Beyond Aldegheri’s historic start, Italy boasts a roster with considerable offensive potential. Cervelli has highlighted the team’s speed and ability to hit for power, emphasizing an aggressive, attacking style of play. The team’s exhibition games against MLB clubs provided valuable insights into their strengths and areas for improvement.
Cervelli noted that the players are eager to contribute, constantly looking for opportunities to get into the lineup. “There is talent on this team. They are prospects,” he said. “And the good part is even if they’re not playing and not in the lineup, every time I walk by they appear at me. Like they’re waiting to hear when I might be calling on them. They are very aggressive and run the bases well.”
For Brazil, Tiago da Silva will not be on the mound. He previously participated in three Classics with Italy before joining his motherland’s team for this tournament.
Italy’s path through the tournament won’t be easy. Following tonight’s game against Brazil, they will face Great Britain and then the formidable challenges of the United States and Mexico. Success in this pool will require consistent performance and a commitment to Cervelli’s vision of aggressive, passionate baseball.
The team’s history in the World Baseball Classic includes reaching the second round in 2013 (finishing seventh) and the quarterfinals in 2023. Building on those past achievements and establishing a new generation of Italian baseball stars is the ultimate goal.
Following tonight’s game against Brazil, Team Italy will face Great Britain on March 9th. Fans can follow live updates and results on the official World Baseball Classic website and through various sports news outlets.
