Inside Team Australia’s MLB packed squad at World Baseball Classic 2026 ft. Curtis Mead, Jack O’Loughlin

Team Australia headed into this year’s World Baseball Classic on the back of a breakthrough campaign in 2023, where they qualified for the quarterfinals for the first time.

Australia’s squad for the 2026 World Baseball Classic is headlined by MLB stars Curtis Mead, Jack O’Loughlin and Cleveland Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana. The 2026 WBC kicked off with Australia facing off against Chinese Taipei opener at the Tokyo Dome.

Travis Bazzana featured at second base in the WBC opener with Curtis Mead at third base, Aaron Whitefield in center field, Alex Hall as the designated hitter, Jarryd Dale at shortstop, Rixon Wingrove at first base, Robbie Perkins behind the plate, Chris Burke in left field and Tim Kennelly in right field.

Former Baltimore Orioles ace Alex Wells started the game for Australia in their WBC opener. Australia claimed a 3-0 win after Perkins hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning and Bazzana added a solo home run in the seventh inning.

Former MLB top picks realising World Baseball Classic dream with Australia

Travis Bazzana, who is yet to make his MLB debut after being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLB draft, admitted that he always dreamt of representing his country. He made his feelings know ahead of his WBC debut this week.

Growing up, I always looked ahead and kind of had a vision of things I wanted to do in this game, and this was a big part of it,” Bazzana saud. “Young me would be dreaming of (this) and now it’s here. Just got to make the most of it.”

Australia will play Czechia on March 6. They will be up against the defending champions, Japan, on March 8, followed by a clash against South Korea on March 9 to conclude their pool games.