Menechino’s assistant batting coach is former New York Yankees star catcher Jorge Posada. Team Italy is managed by ex-Staten Island Yankees and New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli. Team Italy will look to earn a spot in Tuesday’s WBC championship game when it meets Team Venezuela at 8 p.m. on Monday in Miami.

The championship game of the World Baseball Classic could have a heavy Phillies-centric feel to it.

The World Baseball Classic field has been whittled down to four teams, with two captivating semifinal matchups slated for Sunday and Monday at loanDepot Park in Miami. One side of the bracket features two heavyweights in the Dominican Republic and Team USA,

Team USA suffered a massive 8-6 upset at the hands of Italy on Tuesday night, dampening their World Baseball Classic quarterfinal hopes.

With espresso shots, kisses on the cheek and Andrea Bocelli singalongs, Team Italy has charmed the baseball world. But their mission is more ambitious: Turn Italy into a bona fide baseball factory.

Team Italy's newfound 2026 World Baseball Classic success is sparking unprecedented interest across Italy during the tournament.

Team USA faces Canada on Friday night in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, the winner advancing to the final four of the game's premier international tournament. The Americans lost to Italy in the pool play finale on Tuesday and had to sweat out the result of Italy-Mexico on Wednesday to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals despite going 3-1 in the group.