We all remember the epic championship game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic when Shohei Ohtani struck out Team USA slugger Mike Trout to give Team Japan its third title in five editions of the tournament.
Now, we’re gearing up for the 2026 WBC, which will see Ohtani and Japan try to defend their title in the 20-team competition that includes a stacked USA squad seeking redemption. Among the players committed to Team USA include Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, and Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
We are counting down until the opening pitch of the tournament and bringing you the latest news and updates as rosters get announced.
When is the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
The 2026 WBC will be held from March 5–17. Twenty teams have been placed into four pools with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals. Games in Pool A will be played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Games in Pool B will be played at Daikin Park, home of the Astros. Games in Pool C will be played at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Games in Pool D will be played at LoanDepot Park, home of the 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)
Feb. 13
Staff USA is including the Boston Red Sox outfielder to its roster to switch Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, who lately suffered a hand damage that makes him unable to play within the World Baseball Basic, pending a bodily, according to The Boston Globe.
Anthony, the previous consensus No. 1 prospect in MLB, appeared in 71 video games final season for the Pink Sod earlier than struggling an indirect damage in what was his first crack on the big-league recreation. He totaled eight residence runs, 32 RBIs and three.1 wins above alternative, whereas posting a .292/.396/.463 slash line. Anthony began 32 video games in proper subject, 17 in left subject and served as Boston’s beginning designated hitter in 17 video games.
Feb. 3
Nice Britain Squad: Chisholm In; Chapman Out
Jazz Chisholm Jr. will play as soon as once more on the World Baseball Basic.
A local of the Bahamas, Chisholm will swimsuit up for Staff Nice Britain, which made a shock quarterfinals run in 2023. The Yankees infielder is coming off a stellar season, together with a career-high 31 residence runs with 31 stolen bases for the Bronx Bombers. He additionally earned his second profession All-Star look and his first Silver Slugger Award.
Nevertheless, the group will probably be with out Pink Sox nearer Ardolis Chapman, who was reportedly ruled ineligible to play for Nice Britain. The Cuban-born reliever was pursuing eligibility by means of the lineage of his grandparents.
Feb. 2
Edwin Diaz Confirmed For Puerto Rico
Newly signed Dodgers nearer Edwin Diaz will return for Puerto Rico on the 2026 World Baseball Basic.
It is excellent news for a Puerto Rico squad that will not have infield duo Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor on account of not being granted the correct insurance coverage to play; an insurance coverage coverage is in place that financially protects MLB groups if a participant will get harm within the match.
Within the 2023 World Baseball Basic, Diaz — who signed a five-year, $102 million contract with the Mets simply 4 months earlier — suffered a torn proper patellar tendon in a celebration pile after a Puerto Rico victory. Diaz subsequently missed all the 2023 MLB season.
Jan. 31
Shohei Ohtani not pitching for Japan
The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ two-way celebrity has determined that he’ll solely hit within the 2026 WBC, supervisor Dave Roberts revealed. Ohtani pitched for the primary time since August 2023 final season, doing so by means of the playoffs en path to the Dodgers repeating as World Sequence champions and Ohtani successful his third consecutive MVP award.
Jan. 29
Braves proper fielder Acuña and Brewers slugger Chourio are among the many high MLB abilities who’ll play for Venezuela on the WBC. Acuña was a part of Venezuela’s roster for the 2023 version and later posted a stellar season with the Braves through which he hit 41 homers and had 73 stolen bases. After lacking many of the 2024 season with a torn ACL, he returned to the Braves in 2025 to supply a productive marketing campaign (21 HRs, .935 OPS) in 2025. Chourio has been a breakout star for the Brewers, posting no less than 20 homers in his first two seasons with Milwaukee.
On the opposite aspect, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will sit out the WBC. The 2-time World Series champion represents Venezuela, however the Astros reportedly requested him to sit down out this 12 months. The nine-time All-Star suffered a hand damage on the 2023 match when he was hit by a pitch, which affected his efficiency throughout that season (missed 43 video games). Altuve slashed .265/.329/.442 with a .771 OPS, recording 26 HRs and 77 RBIs in 155 video games.
Jan. 28
Blue Jays star Guerrero will swimsuit up for the Dominican Republic in his WBC debut. Guerrero, a two-time Silver Slugger and five-time All-Star, totaled 23 residence runs, 84 RBIs and 4.6 wins above alternative in 156 regular-season video games final 12 months for the Blue Jays — who received the American League pennant — whereas posting a .292/.381/.467 slash line. Within the postseason (18 video games), Guerrero totaled eight HRs and 15 RBIs, whereas posting a .397/.494/.795 slash line.
Jan. 27
Diamondbacks third baseman Arenado is making a group swap for the WBC. The eight-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner (who was traded by the Cardinals to the D-backs earlier this month) will be part of Staff Puerto Rico on this 12 months’s occasion. Arenado represented Staff USA in 2023 and 2017. He batted .385 for Staff USA of their runner-up effort in 2023, whereas serving to the group win all of it in 2017.
Nevertheless, the group will probably be with out Carlos Correa after the Astros star infielder stated 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 little one.
Oneil Cruz locked in for Dominican Republic
Pirates slugger Cruz will probably be making his WBC debut when he joins the D.R. squad in March. The 27-year-old, who participated within the 2025 MLB All-Star Residence Run Derby, joins a proficient 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 residence runs (20) and stolen bases (38) this season.
Jan. 26
Japan’s roster will characteristic eight MLB stars
The defending champions could have a stacked group, with Japan finalizing all however one roster spot for his or her WBC marketing campaign. Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto confirmed he’ll play, becoming a member of teammate Ohtani, Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi, Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, Padres reliever Yuki Matsui, White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami, Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto and free agent right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano.
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, who performed on Japan’s group in 2023, will sit out this one. It will likely be the primary WBC for Suzuki, who helped Japan win gold on the 2020 Olympics.
Jan. 15
Hats launched for all 20 groups
Now we have caps! Which one is your favourite?
Kershaw could have simply completed his 18-year MLB profession with the Dodgers, however the three-time Cy Younger Award winner will pitch for Staff USA. This would be the first time that Kershaw pitches within the WBC. Earlier than Bregman makes his anticipated debut for the Cubs, the newly signed star third baseman will don the Staff USA uniform for the WBC.
They are going to be part of a Staff USA squad headlined by Phillies slugger Bryce Harper, who will play swimsuit up after lacking out on the 2023 version on account of surgical procedure. The 33-year-old Harper hit 27 residence runs and recorded an .844 OPS in 2025 because the Phillies received the Nationwide League East. It will likely be Harper’s first time enjoying on the WBC.
Jan. 13
Blue Jays catcher Kirk has been named captain of Staff Mexico for the WBC. 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 Sequence. The Tijuana native slashed .282/.348/.421 with 15 residence runs and 76 RBIs through the 2025 season.
Clement, 29, helped the Blue Jays attain the World Sequence whereas additionally setting a postseason file along with his 30 hits. He completed the postseason with a .411 common, one homer, six doubles, 9 RBIs, 13 runs scored and a .977 OPS.
All-Star slugger Buxton may also be part of Staff USA. 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
Staff Canada will probably be with out its star participant, as Dodgers first baseman Freeman has reportedly withdrawn from the WBC. With the 36-year-old sitting out the match after serving to the Dodgers win back-to-back World Sequence titles, the Canadians will lean on Mariners slugger Josh Naylor at first base. In different Staff Canada information, Angels reliever Jordan Romano has additionally reportedly pulled out, whereas Cubs beginning pitcher Jameson Taillon will participate.
