2026 World Baseball Classic

Last updated

2026 World Baseball Classic
2023 World Baseball Classic logo.png
Tournament details
CountriesFlag of Japan.svg  Japan
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
City Flag of the United States.svg Houston, Texas
Flag of the United States.svg Miami, Florida
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg San Juan, Puerto Rico
Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan
DatesMarch 5–17, 2026
Teams20
←  2023

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is an international professional baseball tournament between 20 national baseball teams, planned to be the sixth iteration of the World Baseball Classic (WBC), and to be played from March 5 to 17, 2026. [1] Its pool-play rounds will be played in Miami, Florida; Houston, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Tokyo, Japan. The quarterfinals will be split between Miami and Houston, the semi-finals and the final will be played in Miami. [2]

Contents

Japan is the defending champion, having defeated the United States in the 2023 WBC championship game. [3]

Teams

Qualification

Qualification status: .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Qualified for the 2026 World Baseball Classic Participated in the qualifier but failed to qualify 2026 World Baseball Classic qualification.svg
Qualification status:
  Qualified for the 2026 World Baseball Classic
  Participated in the qualifier but failed to qualify

16 teams qualified for the 2026 WBC tournament by virtue of having placed in the top four of their respective pools in the 2023 World Baseball Classic tournament.

Four additional teams qualified through the 2026 WBC qualifying tournament. [4] [5] The qualifying tournament included 8 teams, downsized from the 12 teams that had competed in the 2023 WBC qualifiers. The first pool took place in Taipei, and included Chinese Taipei, Spain, Nicaragua, and South Africa; the second pool took place in Tucson, Arizona, and included Colombia, China, Brazil, and Germany. [6] The Taipei pool ran from February 21–25, 2025, and the Tucson pool ran from March 2–6, 2025. [7]

Colombia, Nicaragua, Brazil, and Chinese Taipei all qualified for the 2026 WBC. Brazil qualified for the first time since 2013. China failed to qualify for the first time in the World Baseball Classic, as it was eliminated after it lost all three of its games in the qualifiers.

Qualified teams
RegionTeamQualification
method		Prev.
apps		Previous best resultWBSC world
ranking1 [8]
Americas Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil Qualifiers Pool B 2nd-place playoff winner1Pool stage (2013)22
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C 3rd place5Pool stage (2006, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023)20
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia Qualifiers Pool B winner2Pool stage (2017, 2023)13
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool A winner5Runners-up (2006)10
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool D 3rd place5Champions (2013)12
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C winner53rd place (2023)6
Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua Qualifiers Pool A winner1Pool stage (2023)16
Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool A 4th place3Pool stage (2006, 2009, 2023)8
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool D Runners-up5Runners-up (2013, 2017)7
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C Runners-up5Champions (2017)3
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool D winner54th place (2009)5
Asia Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei Qualifiers Pool A Second-place playoff winner5Quarterfinals (2013)2
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B winner5Champions (2006, 2009, 2023)1
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B 3rd place5Runners-up (2009)4
Europe Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechia 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B 4th place1Pool stage (2023)15
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C 4th place1Pool stage (2023)19
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool D 4th place2Quarterfinals (2017)21
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool A Runners-up5Quarterfinals (2013, 2023)14
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool A 3rd place54th place (2013, 2017)9
Oceania Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B Runners-up5Quarterfinals (2023)11

1 Ranking as of December 31, 2025

Draw

The pools and schedule were announced on August 21, 2024. [9] The teams that advanced from the qualifiers were added on April 9, 2025. [10] The pool assignments prioritized the hosts (Japan, Puerto Rico, and the United States). The remaining pool assignments were made based on WBSC World Rankings, competitive balance, and commercial and geographic interest.

Note: Numbers in parentheses indicate positions in the WBSC World Rankings at the time of the draw. [11]

Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4Pot 5
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan (1) (H)
Flag of the United States.svg  United States (5) (H)
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico (9) (H)
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela (3)		Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico (4)
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea (6)
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands (7)
Flag of Panama.svg  Panama (8)		Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba (10)
Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic (11)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (12)
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy (14)		Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic (15)
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain (18)
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel (19)
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada (22)		Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei (2) [A]
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia (13) [B]
Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua (16) [C]
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil (23) [D]

Note: Numbers in parentheses indicate positions in the WBSC World Rankings at the time of the draw. The decimal number represents the average ranking in the designated pool.

PotPool A (12.4)Pool B (12.8)Pool C (7.2)Pool D (11.2)
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg San Juan Flag of the United States.svg Houston Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo Flag of the United States.svg Miami
Pot 1Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico (9) (H)Flag of the United States.svg  United States (5) (H)Flag of Japan.svg  Japan (1) (H)Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela (3)
Pot 2Flag of Panama.svg  Panama (8)Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico (4)Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea (6)Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands (7)
Pot 3Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba (10)Flag of Italy.svg  Italy (14)Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia (12)Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic (11)
Pot 4Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada (22)Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain (18)Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechia (15)Flag of Israel.svg  Israel (19)
Pot 5Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia (13)Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil (23)Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei (2)Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua (16)

Venues

The main tournament will be held in four stadiums. [12]

Pool APool B & QuarterfinalsPool CPool D, Quarterfinals, Semis and Championship
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg San Juan, Puerto Rico Flag of the United States.svg Houston, United States Flag of Japan.svg Tokyo, Japan Flag of the United States.svg Miami, United States
Hiram Bithorn Stadium Daikin Park Tokyo Dome LoanDepot Park
Capacity: 19,125Capacity: 41,168Capacity: 45,600Capacity: 36,742
Hiram Bithorn Stadium.jpg Minute Maid Park 2016-04-23.jpg Interior of Tokyo Dome 201904b.jpg MarlinPark.jpg

Rosters

Pre-WBC friendly games

To prepare for the tournament, teams will play friendly preparation games between November 2025 and March 2026.

South Korea played Czechia in two games on November 7–8 at a sold out Seoul Sky Dome, Korea won both. [13] [14] South Korea and Japan played two games later in November at the Tokyo Dome. [15] Japan won the first game and both Korea and Japan tied the second game. [16] No MLB players were called to play in those games, as those games were used to test potential non-MLB players that would be part of the final roster decision in December and early-February. [17]

After the final roster decisions, teams will participate in extra friendly games, Japan will play games in Miyazaki and at Nagoya Dome with Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Chunichi Dragons respectively, meanwhile, Chinese Taipei will play against The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and SoftBank Hawks in a send-off series at Taipei Dome. [18] [19] Czechia will play three exhibition games against the farm squad of Chiba Lotte Marines in Miyakonojo. [20] Nicaragua will host four exhibition games against Cuba in February. [21] Korea will hold practice games in Okinawa, the team's base camp location. [22]

In March, before the tournament, every team will play two last friendly games each, 14 of 15 teams of pools A, B and D against MLB teams at Spring Training sites in Florida and Arizona on March 3–4. [23] The Dominican Republic, the lone team to not play in Arizona or Florida, will play the Detroit Tigers twice across the same two dates at Estadio Quisqueya in Santo Domingo. [24] For pool C, Japan and Korea will play against the Orix Buffaloes and Hanshin Tigers main squads at the Osaka Dome. Australia, Chinese Taipei and Czechia will play against the NPB Farm squads of the Buffaloes, Yomiuri Giants and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Miyazaki. [25]

2025

Friendly
Non-MLB Squads		November 8 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg0–3 Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea Gocheok Sky Dome,
Seoul, South Korea
14:03 KST LP: Jan Novák
Boxscore WP: Kim Keon-woo
Sv: Jo Byeong-hyeon
Attendance: 16,100
Friendly
Non-MLB Squads		November 9 South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg11–1 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Gocheok Sky Dome,
Seoul, South Korea
14:00 KST WP: Lee Min-seok
HR: Lee Jae-won (1)		 Boxscore LP: Thomas Ondra
Attendance: 16,100
Friendly
Non-MLB Squads		November 15 South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg4–11 Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Tokyo Dome, Japan
18:36 JT LP: Kim Taek-yeon
HR: Ahn Hyun-min (1), Song Sung-mun (1)		 Boxscore WP: Yuki Matsumoto
HR: Yukinori Kishida (1)		Attendance: 41,631
Friendly
Non-MLB Squads		November 16 Japan  Flag of Japan.svg7–7 Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea Tokyo Dome, Japan
19:08 JT Boxscore HR: Ahn Hyun-min (2), Kim Ju-won (1)Attendance: 41,627

2026

Friendly February 20 Cuba  Flag of Cuba.svg- Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua Rivas, Nicaragua
Friendly February 20 South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg- Samsung Lions ONNA Akama Ball Park  [ ja ], Onna, Japan
Friendly February 21 Cuba  Flag of Cuba.svg- Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua León, Nicaragua
Friendly February 22 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg- Chiba Lotte Marines (farm) Miyakonojo City Municipal Baseball Stadium  [ ja ], Miyakonojo, Japan
12:30 JST
Friendly February 22 Japan  Flag of Japan.svg- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Sun Marine Stadium, Miyazaki, Japan
13:00 JST
Friendly February 22 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg- Chiba Lotte Marines (farm) Miyakonojo City Municipal Baseball Stadium  [ ja ], Miyakonojo, Japan
12:30 JST
Friendly February 22 Cuba  Flag of Cuba.svg- Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua Masaya, Nicaragua
Friendly February 23 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg- Chiba Lotte Marines (farm) Miyakonojo City Municipal Baseball Stadium  [ ja ], Miyakonojo, Japan
12:30 JST
Friendly February 23 Japan  Flag of Japan.svg- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Sun Marine Stadium, Miyazaki, Japan
14:00 JST
Friendly February 23 Cuba  Flag of Cuba.svg- Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua Masaya, Nicaragua
Friendly February 26 South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg- Samsung Lions ONNA Akama Ball Park  [ ja ], Onna, Japan
Friendly February 26 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg- Chiba Lotte Marines Miyakonojo City Municipal Baseball Stadium  [ ja ], Miyakonojo, Japan
12:30 JST
Friendly February 26 Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Taipei Dome, Taipei, Taiwan
19:00 TST
Friendly February 27 Japan  Flag of Japan.svg- Chunichi Dragons Vantelin Dome Nagoya, Nagoya, Japan
19:00 JST
Friendly February 27 Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg- Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Taipei Dome, Taipei, Taiwan
15:00 TST
Friendly February 28 Japan  Flag of Japan.svg- Chunichi Dragons Vantelin Dome Nagoya, Nagoya, Japan
19:00 JST
Friendly March 2 Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg- Orix Buffaloes (farm) SOKKEN Stadium  [ ja ], Miyazaki, Japan
11:00 JST
Friendly March 2 Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (farm) Sun Marine Stadium, Miyazaki, Japan
11:00 JST
Friendly March 2 South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg- Hanshin Tigers Kyocera Dome Osaka, Osaka, Japan
12:00 JST
Friendly March 2 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg- Yomiuri Giants (farm) Sun Marine Stadium, Miyazaki, Japan
18:00 JST
Friendly March 2 Japan  Flag of Japan.svg- Orix Buffaloes Kyocera Dome Osaka, Osaka, Japan
19:00 JST
Friendly March 3 Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg- Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (farm) SOKKEN Stadium  [ ja ], Miyazaki, Japan
11:00 JST
Friendly March 3 Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg- Yomiuri Giants (farm) Sun Marine Stadium, Miyazaki, Japan
11:00 JST
Friendly March 3 South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg- Orix Buffaloes Kyocera Dome Osaka, Osaka, Japan
12:00 JST
Friendly March 3 Czech Republic  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg- Orix Buffaloes (farm) Sun Marine Stadium, Miyazaki, Japan
18:00 JST
Friendly March 3 Japan  Flag of Japan.svg- Hanshin Tigers Kyocera Dome Osaka, Osaka, Japan
19:00 JST
Friendly March 3 Brazil  Flag of Brazil.svg- Athletics Hohokam Stadium, Mesa, Arizona
1:05 MST
Friendly March 3 Venezuela  Flag of Venezuela.svg- Houston Astros Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Florida
Friendly March 3 United States  Flag of the United States.svg- San Francisco Giants Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale, Arizona
Friendly March 3 Italy  Flag of Italy.svg- Chicago Cubs Sloan Park, Mesa, Arizona
Friendly March 3 Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg- Milwaukee Brewers American Family Fields of Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona
Friendly March 3 Cuba  Flag of Cuba.svg- Kansas City Royals Surprise Stadium, Surprise, Arizona
Friendly March 3 Israel  Flag of Israel.svg- Miami Marlins Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Florida
Friendly March 3 Nicaragua  Flag of Nicaragua.svg- New York Mets Clover Park, Port St. Lucie, Florida
Friendly March 3 Colombia  Flag of Colombia.svg- Pittsburgh Pirates LECOM Park, Bradenton, Florida
Friendly March 3 Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg- Baltimore Orioles Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, Florida
Friendly March 3 Puerto Rico  Flag of Puerto Rico.svg- Boston Red Sox JetBlue Park, Lee County, Florida
Friendly March 3 Panama  Flag of Panama.svg- New York Yankees George M. Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Florida
Friendly March 3 Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg- Toronto Blue Jays TD Ballpark, Dunedin, Florida
Friendly March 3 Mexico  Flag of Mexico.svg- Arizona Diamondbacks Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, Arizona
Friendly March 3 Dominican Republic  Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg- Detroit Tigers Estadio Quisqueya, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Friendly March 4 Brazil  Flag of Brazil.svg- Texas Rangers Surprise Stadium, Surprise, Arizona
1:05 MST
Friendly March 4 Venezuela  Flag of Venezuela.svg- Washington Nationals Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach, Florida
Friendly March 4 United States  Flag of the United States.svg-- Colorado Rockies Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, Arizona
Friendly March 4 Mexico  Flag of Mexico.svg- Los Angeles Dodgers Camelback Ranch, Glendale, Arizona
Friendly March 4 Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg- San Diego Padres Peoria Stadium, Peoria, Arizona
Friendly March 4 Cuba  Flag of Cuba.svg- Cincinnati Reds Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, Arizona
Friendly March 4 Italy  Flag of Italy.svg- Los Angeles Angels Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe, Arizona
Friendly March 4 Colombia  Flag of Colombia.svg- Atlanta Braves CoolToday Park, North Port, Florida
Friendly March 4 Israel  Flag of Israel.svg- New York Mets Clover Park, Port St. Lucie, Florida
Friendly March 4 Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg- Philadelphia Phillies BayCare Ballpark, Clearwater, Florida
Friendly March 4 Nicaragua  Flag of Nicaragua.svg- St. Louis Cardinals Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Florida
Friendly March 4 Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg- Tampa Bay Rays Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte, Florida
Friendly March 4 Panama  Flag of Panama.svg- Detroit Tigers Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Florida
Friendly March 4 Puerto Rico  Flag of Puerto Rico.svg- Minnesota Twins Hammond Stadium, Lee County, Florida
Friendly March 4 Dominican Republic  Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg- Detroit Tigers Estadio Quisqueya, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Pool stage

Scheduled locations and dates are as follows: [10]

Pool A

PosTeamPldWLRFRAPCTGBQualification
1Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico (H)00000——Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 00000——
3Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 00000——
4Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 00000——
5Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 00000——
First games will be played: March 6, 2026. Source: MLB
(H) Hosts
DateLocal timeRoad teamScoreHome teamInn.VenueGame durationAttendanceBoxscore
Mar 6, 202612:00 AST Cuba  Flag of Cuba.svg–Flag of Panama.svg  Panama   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore
Mar 6, 202619:00 AST Puerto Rico  Flag of Puerto Rico.svg–Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore
Mar 7, 202612:00 AST Colombia  Flag of Colombia.svg–Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore
Mar 7, 202619:00 AST Panama  Flag of Panama.svg–Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore
Mar 8, 202612:00 AST Colombia  Flag of Colombia.svg–Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore
Mar 8, 202619:00 AST Panama  Flag of Panama.svg–Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore
Mar 9, 202612:00 AST Colombia  Flag of Colombia.svg–Flag of Panama.svg  Panama   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore
Mar 9, 202619:00 AST Cuba  Flag of Cuba.svg–Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore
Mar 10, 202619:00 AST Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg–Flag of Puerto Rico.svg  Puerto Rico   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore
Mar 11, 202615:00 AST Canada  Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg–Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba   Hiram Bithorn Stadium    Boxscore

Pool B

PosTeamPldWLRFRAPCTGBQualification
1Flag of the United States.svg  United States (H)00000——Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 00000——
3Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 00000——
4Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain 00000——
5Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 00000——
First games will be played: March 6, 2026. Source: MLB
(H) Hosts
DateLocal timeRoad teamScoreHome teamInn.VenueGame durationAttendanceBoxscore
Mar 6, 202612:00 CST Mexico  Flag of Mexico.svg–Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain   Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 6, 202619:00 CST United States  Flag of the United States.svg–Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil   Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 7, 202612:00 CST Brazil  Flag of Brazil.svg–Flag of Italy.svg  Italy   Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 7, 202619:00 CST Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg–Flag of the United States.svg  United States   Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 8, 202612:00 CDT Great Britain  Flag of the United Kingdom.svg–Flag of Italy.svg  Italy   Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 8, 202619:00 CDT Brazil  Flag of Brazil.svg–Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico   Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 9, 202612:00 CDT Brazil  Flag of Brazil.svg–Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  Great Britain   Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 9, 202619:00 CDT Mexico  Flag of Mexico.svg–Flag of the United States.svg  United States   Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 10, 202620:00 CDT Italy  Flag of Italy.svg–Flag of the United States.svg  United States   Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 11, 202618:00 CDT Italy  Flag of Italy.svg–Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico   Daikin Park    Boxscore

Pool C

PosTeamPldWLRFRAPCTGBQualification
1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan (H)00000——Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 00000——
3Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 00000——
4Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechia 00000——
5Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei 00000——
First games will be played: March 5, 2026. Source: MLB
(H) Hosts
DateLocal timeRoad teamScoreHome teamInn.VenueGame durationAttendanceBoxscore
Mar 5, 202612:00 JST Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg–Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore
Mar 5, 202619:00 JST Czechia  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg–Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore
Mar 6, 202612:00 JST Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg–Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechia   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore
Mar 6, 202619:00 JST Japan  Flag of Japan.svg–Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore
Mar 7, 202612:00 JST Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg–Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czechia   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore
Mar 7, 202619:00 JST South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg–Flag of Japan.svg  Japan   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore
Mar 8, 202612:00 JST Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg–Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore
Mar 8, 202619:00 JST Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg–Flag of Japan.svg  Japan   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore
Mar 9, 202619:00 JST South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg–Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore
Mar 10, 202619:00 JST Czechia  Flag of the Czech Republic.svg–Flag of Japan.svg  Japan   Tokyo Dome    Boxscore

Pool D

PosTeamPldWLRFRAPCTGBQualification
1Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela 00000——Advance to knockout stage
2Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 00000——
3Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 00000——
4Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 00000——
5Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 00000——
First games will be played: March 6, 2026. Source: MLB
DateLocal timeRoad teamScoreHome teamInn.VenueGame durationAttendanceBoxscore
Mar 6, 202612:00 EST Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg–Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 6, 202619:00 EST Nicaragua  Flag of Nicaragua.svg–Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 7, 202612:00 EST Nicaragua  Flag of Nicaragua.svg–Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 7, 202619:00 EST Israel  Flag of Israel.svg–Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 8, 202612:00 EDT Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg–Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 8, 202619:00 EDT Nicaragua  Flag of Nicaragua.svg–Flag of Israel.svg  Israel   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 9, 202612:00 EDT Dominican Republic  Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg–Flag of Israel.svg  Israel   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 9, 202619:00 EDT Venezuela  Flag of Venezuela.svg–Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 10, 202619:00 EDT Israel  Flag of Israel.svg–Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 11, 202620:00 EDT Dominican Republic  Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg–Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela   LoanDepot Park    Boxscore

Knockout stage

The top two teams from each pool will advance to the single elimination bracket. Houston will host two quarterfinal games, while the other two quarterfinals and the rest of the tournament will take place in Miami. [10] [26]

Bracket

 
QuarterfinalsSemifinalsChampionship
 
          
 
March 13 – Miami
 
 
Runner-up Pool C
 
March 15 – Miami
 
Winner Pool D
 
TBD
 
March 13 – Houston
 
TBD
 
Runner-up Pool A
 
March 17 – Miami
 
Winner Pool B
 
Winner SF1
 
March 14 – Houston
 
Winner SF2
 
Runner-up Pool B
 
March 16 – Miami
 
Winner Pool A
 
TBD
 
March 14 – Miami
 
TBD
 
Runner-up Pool D
 
 
Winner Pool C
 

Quarterfinals

If the United States advances, they will play their quarterfinal game on March 13, while if Japan advances, they will play on March 14, both regardless of pool stage position. [10]

DateLocal timeRoad teamScoreHome teamInn.VenueGame durationAttendanceBoxscore
Mar 13, 202619:00 CDTRunner-up Pool A–Winner Pool B  Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 13, 202618:30 EDTRunner-up Pool C–Winner Pool D  LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 14, 20262:00 CDTRunner-up Pool B–Winner Pool A  Daikin Park    Boxscore
Mar 14, 202621:00 EDTRunner-up Pool D–Winner Pool C  LoanDepot Park    Boxscore

Semifinals

DateLocal timeRoad teamScoreHome teamInn.VenueGame durationAttendanceBoxscore
Mar 15, 202620:00 EDTWinner QF TBD–Winner QF TBD  LoanDepot Park    Boxscore
Mar 16, 202620:00 EDTWinner QF TBD–Winner QF TBD  LoanDepot Park    Boxscore

Final

DateLocal timeRoad teamScoreHome teamInn.VenueGame durationAttendanceBoxscore
Mar 17, 202620:00 EDTWinner SF1–Winner SF2  LoanDepot Park    Boxscore

Broadcasting

TerritoryRights holder(s)Ref.
Czechia Czech Television [27]
Dominican RepublicVTV 32, Tele Antillas and Coral 39 [28]
Japan Netflix [29]
Nippon Hoso and Radiko (Audio Only) [30]
Korea Republic TVING, tvN Sports, KBS, SBS and MBC [31]
Mexico Televisa, TUDN and VIX [32]
Nicaragua Viva Nicaragua [33]
Puerto Rico WAPA Deportes [34]
United States Fox Sports (English) [35]
Fox Deportes (Spanish)
Taiwan ELTA Sports  [ zh ], EBC, TTV [36]
Venezuela

Controversies and storylines

Netflix exclusive deal in Japan

Netflix reached an agreement with the World Baseball Classic Inc. for the exclusive broadcasting rights in the Japanese market for all 2026 tournament games. The agreement coincided with a separate agreement with Major League Baseball, one of the tournament organizers, for the global rights to air special events such as Opening Night, MLB at Field of Dreams and the Home Run Derby. [29]

This marks the first time Samurai Japan WBC games will not be available on terrestrial television in Japan, although most non-Japan games for the 2006-2023 tournaments were not available on terrestrial television, instead airing on the J-Sports paid CS premium channels. The agreement ended up being divisive among the Japanese fans as it requires viewers to pay for a streaming service to watch the Japanese national team games. [37] [38] [39]

Proponents of the deal argued that the reaction by opponents was a form of galapagos syndrome, that Netflix is a very known name globally, the market has changed to the point young people overall tend to use streaming far more over television and, the for the first time ever, all non-Japan games would be on a cheaper platform (as Netflix costs far less than paid TV premium plans). [40]

Netflix has also confirmed it will allow public viewing of games and is working with local authorities for such events. [41]

Samurai Japan games will also have free audio broadcasts on Nippon Broadcasting and in streaming on Radiko. Meanwhile, due to fan pressure, Nippon Professional Baseball leadership is seeking to strike a deal that would make it possible to show games via delayed broadcasts on terrestrial television. [30] [37] [42]

Baseball's Dream Team and return of "Plátano Power"

The success of the 2017 and 2023 tournaments made MLB players more interested in playing for their national teams, creating buzz for even more top MLB players to join the tournament. This made the American team get more star power in comparison to former editions; this movement ended up creating comparisons with the Avengers super-heroes or even to the 1992 men's Olympic basketball team and being dubbed "The Dream Team of Baseball". [43] [44] [45] [46]

Notes

  1. ↑ Qualifiers Pool A runners-up, team not determined at time of draw
  2. ↑ Qualifiers Pool B winners, team not determined at time of draw
  3. ↑ Qualifiers Pool A winners, team not determined at time of draw
  4. ↑ Qualifiers Pool B runners-up, team not determined at time of draw

      References

      1. ↑ "Classic will return in 2026, Commissioner confirms". MLB.com. March 21, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
      2. ↑ Tokyo, San Juan, Houston and Miami announced as World Baseball Classic 2026 hosts
      3. ↑ "Japan tops Team USA in dramatic finish to claim 3rd Classic title". MLB.com. March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
      4. ↑ Clair, Michael (March 10, 2023). "No surprise here: Ohtani dominates on hill, at plate". MLB.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
      5. ↑ "Tokyo, San Juan, Houston and Miami announced as World Baseball Classic 2026 hosts". MLB.com. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
      6. ↑ Francys Romero [@francysromeroFR] (September 24, 2024). "Pools for the WBC Qualifiers- 2025, per sources. It will be the first time with only 8 teams" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
      7. ↑ "World Baseball Classic Qualifiers announced". MLB.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
      8. ↑ "WBSC Rankings - Men's baseball on 11/11/2025". World Baseball Softball Confederation . Retrieved December 19, 2025.
      9. ↑ "Pools and game schedule announced for 2026 World Baseball Classic". Major League Baseball . Retrieved May 25, 2025.
      10. 1 2 3 4 "World Baseball Classic 2026 pools finalized". MLB.com. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
      11. ↑ "WBSC ranking – Men's baseball (31/12/2024)". World Baseball Softball Confederation.
      12. ↑ "Tokyo, San Juan, Houston and Miami announced as World Baseball Classic 2026 host". MLB.com. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
      13. ↑ "Korea clinches back-to-back wins over Czech Republic with 11-1 victory". Korea Joongang Daily. November 9, 2025. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
      14. ↑ 조선일보 (November 8, 2025). "'전국 야구팬 모두 고척돔에 모였다' 한국-체코 1차전, 1만6100명 만원관중 [오!쎈 고척]". 조선일보 (in Korean). Retrieved December 9, 2025.
      15. ↑ "Tournament details, match results of RAXUS SAMURAI JAPAN SERIES 2025 JAPAN vs KOREA". SAMURAI JAPAN official website. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
      16. ↑ "Korea rallies to tie Japan in exhibition baseball game - The Korea Times". The Korea Times. November 16, 2025. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
      17. ↑ Spradling, Shawn (November 6, 2025). "Here are the roster due dates for the 2026 WBC". Instagram. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
      18. ↑ "2026年2月の侍ジャパンシリーズ2026のチケット販売概要と放送日程について". Samurai Japan Websitte (in Japanese). Retrieved December 9, 2025.
      19. ↑ "台日交流賽》軟銀鷹、日本火腿無縫接軌來台寫第1次 都將對決WBC中華隊". Yahoo News Taiwan (in Chinese). December 8, 2025. Retrieved December 9, 2025.
      20. ↑ "2026年練習試合日程について". Chiba Lotte Marines (in Japanese). December 23, 2025. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
      21. ↑ Selección de Nicaragua [@selebeisbolnic] (January 12, 2026). "La Selección Nacional de Béisbol de Nicaragua" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
      22. ↑ "'괌→오키나와' 삼성, 2026 스프링캠프 일정 '확정'…2군도 오키나와 간다 [SS시선집중]". Sports Seoul (in Korean). January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
      23. ↑ "MLB Schedule 2026 | MLB Schedule". MLB.com. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
      24. ↑ "Equipo dominicano del Clásico jugará dos partidos en el Quisqueya ante los Tigres de Detroit – El Nuevo Diario (República Dominicana)" (in Spanish). November 6, 2025. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
      25. ↑ "2026 ワールドベースボールクラシック™ 東京プール presented by ディップ 強化試合 チケット販売概要について" [2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C Training Games Ticket Sales Overview]. WBC 2026 japanese website (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 15, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
      26. ↑ https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
      27. ↑ "World Baseball Classic se vrací na obrazovky ČT Sport!". ČT Sport. January 12, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2026– via Instagram.
      28. ↑ MIRABAL, FRANKLIN (December 2, 2025). "Grupo Panorama presenta cadena de transmisión del Clásico Mundial de Béisbol". Impacto Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved December 31, 2025.
      29. 1 2 "World Baseball Classic Inc. and Netflix Announce Exclusive Partnership for 2026 World Baseball Classic in Japan". About Netflix. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
      30. 1 2 "6大会連続でのWBC生中継が実現！「ニッポン放送ショウアップナイタースペシャル 2026 ワールドベースボールクラシック実況中継」 | radiko news(ラジコニュース)". news.radiko.jp (in Japanese). December 10, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
      31. ↑ "CJ ENM, 2026 월드 베이스볼 클래식(WBC) 중계권 체결! 다각화된 스포츠 콘텐츠 전략 이어간다". CJ Newsroom (in Korean). December 17, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025. '2026 WBC(World Baseball Classic)'는 디지털에선 TVING 독점으로 전경기가 생중계되며, TV는 지상파 3사와 계열 스포츠채널, 그리고 tvN SPORTS 채널에서 중계될 예정으로 세부적인 방송계획은 논의 중에 있다.[The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be exclusively live-streamed on TVING for all games. Broadcasts on TV will be available on the three major FTA (SBS, KBS and MBC), their affiliated sports channels, and tvN SPORTS.]
      32. ↑ RAÍZ (December 31, 2025). "Televisa tendrá el Clásico Mundial de Beisbol en México". Marca México (in Mexican Spanish). Retrieved December 31, 2025.
      33. ↑ "¡La pasión y la emoción del Clásico Mundial de Béisbol 2026 se vive por Viva Nicaragua - Canal 13!". Viva Nicaragua. January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026– via instagram.
      34. ↑ "Wapa Deportes revalida como canal oficial y exclusivo del Clásico Mundial de Béisbol 2026 en PR". WAPA.TV (in Spanish). July 9, 2025. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
      35. ↑ "FOX Sports to Air 2026 World Baseball Classic, Including March 17 Championship". Fox Sports. October 7, 2025. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
      36. ↑ 聯合新聞網. "經典賽／愛爾達場場直播 14場資格賽+47場正賽全都看得到". 聯合新聞網 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved August 25, 2025.
      37. 1 2 Hernandez, Dylan (January 12, 2026). "Japan not thrilled with Netflix-controlled World Baseball Classic". New York Post . Retrieved January 13, 2026.
      38. ↑ "WBC地上波で見られない！前回の過熱ぶり主催者注目　放送権料高騰、当初テレ朝＆TBSと交渉" (in Japanese). Nikkei Sports. August 26, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
      39. ↑ "WBCが年間最高視聴率トップ48％！　紅白を抑えて９位まで関連番組が独占" (in Japanese). Nikkei Sports. January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
      40. ↑ "【ＷＢＣ】地上波なしのネトフリ独占放送 現役選手たちの胸中は？「確かに有料コンテンツですけど…」". Tokyo Sports WEB (in Japanese). Retrieved January 13, 2026– via Yahoo! Japan News.
      41. ↑ "Netflixが語る「スポーツ戦略」。WBCは日テレが制作参加。選手ゆかりの地でのパブリックビューイングも". AV Watch (in Japanese). December 17, 2025. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
      42. ↑ "WBC、国内は録画放送の可能性 Netflix独占で NPB・榊原氏（毎日新聞）". Mainichi (in Japanese). Retrieved January 13, 2026– via Yahoo! Japan News.
      43. ↑ Jennings, Chad (April 21, 2025). "Dream Team: Building a USA roster around Aaron Judge for the 2026 World Baseball Classic". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
      44. ↑ Vázquez, Luis Guillermo (December 23, 2025). "Bryce Harper joins the United States' 'Dream Team' for the World Baseball Classic". AS USA. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
      45. ↑ Rymer, Zachary D. "Team USA's 2026 WBC Roster Is Taking Shape—and It's Loaded". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved January 15, 2026. A dream team for the Americans started coming together when Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes signed on early last summer. The roster has only gotten more ridiculous, and the hits kept on coming when Tarik Skubal, Logan Webb, Mason Miller and David Bednar joined up on Thursday.
      46. ↑ "U.S. Baseball Avengers Vow Revenge in WBC". The Chosun Daily. December 26, 2025. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
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