Judge, who blasted 58 home runs last season and helped the Yankees reach the World Series, will be playing in the international team event for the first time.
The 32-year-old slugger did not play in the last World Baseball Classic in 2023, when a team led by Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout lost to a Shohei Ohtani-inspired Japan in the final.
“Getting a chance to have ‘USA’ across my chest and represent all the great people in our country and represent what this country means, it’s a great opportunity,” Judge told MLB Network.
“I never had this opportunity before, even growing up as a kid, so I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
Team USA will be managed by Mark DeRosa for the second consecutive tournament.
Next year’s classic will take place from March 5-17 with first round group play split between Houston, Miami, Puerto Rico and Tokyo before the semi-finals and championship game take place in Miami.
© 2025 AFP