Brazil has named their manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic and qualifiers. Daniel Yuichi Matsumoto will become the first Brazilian to lead Brazil through the tournament.
For the first time in history, a Brazilian coach will be Brazil’s manager for a World Baseball Classic/Qualifiers:
Daniel Yuichi Matsumoto 🇧🇷
Former managers:
2012/2013 🇺🇸Barry Larkin
2016 🇺🇸Barry Larkin
2022 🇺🇸Steve Finley pic.twitter.com/lJE3KUEnkV— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) January 19, 2025
Matsumoto was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1980. His baseball career took him to Japan in 1999 when he joined the Tokyo Yakult Swallows as a first baseman. Five years later, he acquired Japanese nationality.
Matsumoto also represented Brazil in international events including the 2002 Intercontinental Cup and 2013 World Baseball Classic.
He spent 14 seasons in the NPB with the Swallows at first base and in the outfield until 2015. Since then, he has been a part of their coaching staff.
The former NPB infielder was a part of the first, last, and only WBC team Brazil has ever had. They were in Pool A with Japan, Cuba, and China in 2013 and finished at the bottom with a 0-3 record.
Brazil will head to Tuscon, Ariz. for their qualifying games. From Mar. 2-4, they will play Colombia, Germany, and China respectively. In 2023, they went 2-2 in the qualifiers losing to Panama and Nicaragua.
Currently, the WBSC has Brazil ranked 24th overall in the world rankings.
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
Photo Credit: Wiki Commons
