The stakes are high — and completely different.
The best major league players won’t be donning their MLB team jerseys. Instead, they’ll wear uniforms with their country across their chest, competing with the top players from around the globe.
This is not an exhibition. This is the World Baseball Classic — the highest-profile international baseball tournament in the world.
In March, 20 teams from around the globe will face off in the sixth edition of the WBC. Japan will enter as the defending champion, while the United States will be seeking revenge after falling short as the runner-up in 2023. There’s little doubt those two powers will once again be among the fiercest competitors in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic — WBC champions in 2013 — will look to bounce back after a disappointing first-round exit in the last tournament.
Japan, the United States and the Dominican Republic are the only three countries to have ever won the World Baseball Classic. The U.S. hasn’t claimed the title since 2017.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 World Baseball Classic:
When is the World Baseball Classic?
The World Baseball Classic will be held from March 5-17. Pool play runs from March 5-11, followed by single-elimination rounds: the quarterfinals (March 13-14), semifinals (March 15-16) and the championship game on March 17.
Where is the World Baseball Classic being played?
Games will be hosted at four venues around the world: LoanDepot Park in Miami, Daikin Park in Houston, Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the Tokyo Dome in Japan.
Who is playing in the World Baseball Classic?
Twenty teams from five continents will compete. The teams are divided into four pools, with each pool hosted in a different city:
Pool A (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
- Canada
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Panama
- Puerto Rico
Pool B (Houston)
- Brazil
- Great Britain
- Italy
- Mexico
- United States
Pool C (Tokyo)
- Australia
- Chinese Taipei
- Czechia
- Japan
- Korea
Pool D (Miami)
- Dominican Republic
- Israel
- Netherlands
- Nicaragua
- Venezuela
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
What is the format of the World Baseball Classic?
The tournament begins with four pools — Tokyo, San Juan, Houston and Miami — each featuring five teams playing a round-robin schedule. The top two teams from each pool advance to the quarterfinals, with Tokyo teams advancing to Miami and San Juan teams advancing to Houston.
The quarterfinal winners then move on to Miami, where the semifinals and championship game will be played.
What is the World Baseball Classic schedule?
Pool play
- March 5-10: Pool D — Tokyo Dome (Tokyo)
- March 6-11: Pool A — Hiram Bithorn Stadium (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
- March 6-11: Pool B — Daikin Park (Houston)
- March 6-11: Pool C — Tokyo Dome (Tokyo)
Knockout round
- March 13: Quarterfinal — Pool A runner-up vs. Pool B winner (Houston)
- March 13: Quarterfinal — Pool C runner-up vs. Pool D winner (Miami)
- March 14: Quarterfinal — Pool B runner-up vs. Pool A winner (Houston)
- March 14: Quarterfinal — Pool D runner-up vs. Pool C winner (Miami)
Final round (Miami)
- March 15: Semifinal
- March 16: Semifinal
- March 17: Championship game
How to watch the World Baseball Classic
Games in the United States will be televised and streamed across Fox, FS1, FS2 and the Fox Sports App, with additional streaming options available on Fox One and Tubi.
How to get tickets for the World Baseball Classic
Tickets will be sold through MLB and the official World Baseball Classic website.
MLB stars expected to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Seventy-eight All-Stars and 190 major leaguers dotted the rosters for the 20-team World Baseball Classic when they were fully unveiled, headlined by the likes of Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Ronald Acuna Jr.