Freddie Freeman planned to be among the Los Angeles Dodgers players set to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic as he committed to Team Canada.
Freeman has twice played for Team Canada in the WBC, first in 2017 and then again in 2023. Despite being an American Citizen, Freeman has been eligible to play for Canada because his mother was a Canadian citizen.
Freeman has considered it an honor to represent Canada and was looking forward to it again this year. However, due to personal reasons, Freeman has decided to withdraw from the 2026 WBC, via Shi Davidi of Sportsnet:
Some tough WBC news for Canada as Freddie Freeman withdraws for personal reasons. Dodgers star played in past two tourneys.
Jordan Romano is out too, but on flip side, big boost for Canadian rotation as Jameson Taillon is in. Also now in are C Liam Hicks and INF Tyler Black.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) January 10, 2026
Freeman originally had some concerns about his ability to play in this year’s tournament due to some health issues after the wear and tear of the 2025 season. But he also remained consistent in his desire to participate.
He has appeared in six World Baseball Classic games in his career, three in 2023 and another three in 2017. Freeman has recorded four singles and a walk across 21 at-bats with two RBI and three runs scored, giving him a .190/.227/.190 slash line.
Canada has yet to advance to the quarterfinals in their five years of participating. With Freeman on the club, they went 2-2 in 2023 and 0-3 in 2017 to be eliminated both years.
Freddie Freeman honors parents by playing for Canada
Freeman was born and raised in Southern California, but feels a close relationship to Canada and plays for the country as a way of honoring his parents, and in particular, his late mother.
Rosemary Joy Freeman was born in Toronto and passed away because of melanoma in 2000 when Freeman was 10 years old.
Freeman’s dad is also Canadian, being born in Windsor, Ontario.
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