With the 2026 World Baseball Classic less than a month away, the Federazione Italiana Baseball Softball (FIBS) has announced an elite preparation camp at Port Charlotte Sports Park in Southwest Florida from February 20 through early March, setting the foundation not only for this year’s WBC, but also the 2027 WBSC Premier12 and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The official announcement was made February 5, 2026.
Cervelli Begins Full Tournament Cycle
Italy will be led by manager and former Major League catcher Francisco Cervelli, joined by pitching coach Alessandro Maestri, bench coach Allard Baird, hitting coach Tomas Bison, and coaches Michele Gerali and Alberto d’Auria.
Cervelli’s first managerial event came at the 2025 European Championships in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy, where Italy fell 6–5 to the Netherlands in the gold medal game.
Now 39 years old, Cervelli enters his first World Baseball Classic as manager after Italy came within one win of the semifinals in 2023 under Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza.
Olympic Window in Sight
The Port Charlotte camp represents more than WBC preparation. It signals the beginning of Italy’s long-term international cycle — targeting the 2027 Premier12 and baseball’s return at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Utility player Giaconino Lasaracina, catcher Alberto Mineo, and free agent former MLB right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino headline the elite camp roster and are expected to be part of Italy’s official WBC roster.
Italy’s projected WBC roster will feature players from minor league affiliates within Major League Baseball organizations, active MLB players, Serie A1 standouts, and current professional free agents.
The full 2026 World Baseball Classic roster for Italy is available at https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/italy.
Cervelli’s first managerial event for Italy at 39 years old came at the 2025 European Championships in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy last September, where Italy fell 6–5 to the Netherlands in the gold medal game. https://www.wbsceurope.org/en/events/eurobaseball2025/info
Many of the players participating in the South Florida camp are expected to appear on the official WBC roster, including several who will compete in Serie A1 during the 2026 season.