We all bear in mind the epic championship sport of the 2023 World Baseball Classic when Shohei Ohtani struck out Team USA slugger Mike Trout to provide Team Japan its third title in 5 editions of the event.
Now we’re gearing up for the 2026 WBC, which can see Ohtani and Japan attempt to defend their title within the 20-team competitors that features a stacked USA squad looking for redemption. Among the gamers dedicated to Team USA embody Yankees famous person Aaron Judge, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
We are counting down till the opening pitch of the event and bringing you the most recent information and updates as rosters get introduced.
When is the World Baseball Classic?
The 2026 World Baseball Classic shall be held from March 5–17. Twenty groups have been positioned into 4 swimming pools with the highest two groups from every pool advancing to the quarterfinals.
Pool A video games shall be performed at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Pool B video games shall be performed at Daikin Park, dwelling of the Houston Astros. Pool C video games shall be performed on the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Pool D video games shall be performed at LoanDepot Park, dwelling of the Miami Marlins.
Pool Play: March 5-11
Quarterfinals: March 13–14 (Daikin Park, Houston; LoanDepot Park, Miami)
Semifinals: March 15 (LoanDepot Park, Miami)
Final: March 17 (LoanDepot Park, Miami)
Jan. 27
Arenado In For Puerto Rico; Correa Out
Third baseman Nolan Arenado is making a workforce swap for the World Baseball Classic.
The eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner (who was traded by the Cardinals to the Diamondbacks earlier this month) will be part of Team Puerto Rico on this yr’s occasion. Arenado represented Team USA in 2023 and 2017. He batted .385 for Team USA of their runner-up effort in 2023, whereas serving to the workforce win all of it in 2017.
Puerto Rico’s infield shall be anchored by Arenado and Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. However, the workforce shall be with out Carlos Correa after the Astros star infielder informed The Athletic on Tuesday that he did not have the insurance coverage in his contract to take part. Correa helped Puerto Rico earn the silver medal in 2017 and had sat out the 2023 tourney after the delivery of his youngster.
Cruz Set For Dominican Republic
Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz shall be making his World Baseball Classic debut when he joins the Dominican Republic squad in March.
The 27-year-old, who participated within the 2025 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, joins a proficient D.R. roster that already contains Padres proper fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., Mets left fielder Juan Soto, and Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez.
Cruz led the Pirates in dwelling runs (20) and stolen bases (38) this season.
Jan. 26
Japan’s Roster Will Feature Eight MLB Players
The defending champions can have a stacked workforce, with Team Japan finalizing all however one roster spot for his or her World Baseball Classic marketing campaign.
Yamamoto was instrumental within the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series titles. In 2025, he posted a 2.49 ERA in 173⅔ innings whereas ending third in National League Cy Young Award voting.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto confirmed he’ll play on Monday. He’ll be part of Dodgers teammate Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui, Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami, Toronto Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto and free agent right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano.
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, who performed on Japan’s workforce in 2023, will sit out this one. It would be the first WBC for Suzuki, who helped Japan win gold on the 2020 Olympics.
Jose Altuve Won’t Play For Venezuela at WBC
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will sit out the World Baseball Classic. The two-time World Series champion represents Venezuela, however the Astros reportedly requested him to sit down out this yr’s version.
The nine-time All-Star suffered a hand harm on the 2023 event when he was hit by a pitch, which affected his efficiency throughout that season by which he sat out 43 video games for the Astros.
Altuve slashed .265/.329/.442 with a .771 OPS, recording 26 homers and 77 RBIs by way of 155 video games.
Jan. 15
Hats Released For All 20 Teams
We have caps! Which one is your favourite?
He could have simply completed his 18-year MLB profession with the Los Angeles Dodgers, however the three-time Cy Young Award winner will pitch for Team USA. This would be the first time that Kershaw pitches within the World Baseball Classic.
Alex Bregman Joins Team USA
Before he makes his anticipated debut for the Cubs, newly signed star third baseman Alex Bregman will don the Team USA uniform for the World Baseball Classic.
Bregman is the one third baseman thus far to decide to Team USA for the occasion. He signed a five-year, $175 million deal to affix the Northsiders after only one season in Boston.
Jan. 13
Alejandro Kirk Named Team Mexico Captain
Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has been named captain for Team Mexico for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Kirk will lead a MLB-heavy lineup that features stars like Jarren Duran, Randy Arozarena and Jonathan Aranda. The 27-year-old backstop is coming off his second All-Star look and was a key a part of the Blue Jays reaching the World Series. The Tijuana native slashed .282/.348/.421 with 15 dwelling runs and 76 RBIs in the course of the 2025 season.
Clement Will Play for USA
Ernie Clement will play for Team USA on the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The 29-year-old infielder helped the Toronto Blue Jays attain the World Series whereas additionally setting a postseason document together with his 30 hits. Clement completed the postseason with a .411 common, one homer, six doubles, 9 RBIs, 13 runs scored and a .977 OPS.
Jan. 12
Buxton Joins Team USA
All-Star slugger Byron Buxton will be part of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. The 32-year-old outfielder had a profession season with the Twins, producing homers (35), RBIs (83) and runs scored (97). Buxton additionally earned his first Silver Slugger of his profession.
Jan. 11
Freeman Withdraws from Team Canada
Team Canada shall be with out its star participant as Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has reportedly withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic, in accordance with Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi.
With the 36-year-old sitting out the event after serving to the Dodgers win back-to-back World Series title, the Canadians will lean on Mariners slugger Josh Naylor at first base.
In different Team Canada information, Los Angeles Angels reliever Jordan Romano has additionally reportedly pulled out, whereas Chicago Cubs beginning pitcher Jameson Taillon will participate.
Dec. 23
Harper Will Play for USA
Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will play for Team USA within the 2026 World Baseball Classic after lacking out on the 2023 version attributable to surgical procedure.
The 33-year-old Harper hit 27 dwelling runs and recorded an .844 OPS in 2025 because the Phillies received the NL East. It shall be Harper’s first time enjoying on the World Baseball Classic, though he has represented Team USA at junior competitions up to now.
Nov. 24
Ohtani Back for Team Japan
Shohei Ohtani will play for Team Japan within the 2026 World Baseball Classic, he introduced on social media.
Japan shall be trying to repeat after profitable gold within the 2023 Classic. Ohtani was named the event’s MVP and memorably struck out former Angels teammate Mike Trout for the ultimate out of the ultimate in opposition to Team USA. Ohtani helped the Dodgers win the second straight World Series title whereas incomes his fourth MVP award earlier this month.
Want nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and comply with leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised e-newsletter every day!
