The 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic kicks off tonight, technically Thursday locally in Japan but the time difference will make it late Wednesday night for those watching in the Western Hemisphere. Australia will face off against Chinese Taipei in the opening contest.
The 2023 version had memorable moments, both exhilarating and heartbreaking. The Dominican Republic squad was stunningly knocked out by Puerto Rico in the group stage, but the celebration for the latter club quickly turned sour when Edwin Díaz suffered a knee injury that ultimately wiped out his major league season. Puerto Rico was then knocked out in the quarterfinals when Mexico put up a three spot in the seventh inning, giving them a 5-4 win. Mexico then seemed on the verge of knocking out Japan in the semis but Munetaka Murakami hit a two-run double to walk it off.
The final then led to an exciting and memorable climax, with Japan leading the United States 3-2 going into the ninth. Japan sent Shohei Ohtani, their designated hitter, to the mound to get the final three outs. Ohtani walked Jeff McNeil but then got Mookie Betts to ground into a double play. Ohtani’s then-teammate with the Angels Mike Trout stepped to the plate with the title on the line. Trout worked a full count but was ultimately punched out by Ohtani, giving Japan the crown.
Japan has been the most successful club in WBC history, with that being their third title. They also won in 2006 and 2009. The Dominican Republic emerged victorious in 2013, followed by the United States in 2017. There was then a bigger gap than usual due to the pandemic, with the 2021 version getting pushed to 2023.
This year’s version will again feature a whole bunch of big names. Japan has Ohtani, Murakami, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Kazuma Okamoto, Seiya Suzuki and more. The Americans are loaded with stars like Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Bryce Harper and more. The Dominicans have Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. The Venezuelans have brothers Willson Contreras and William Contreras. The Canadians have brothers Josh Naylor and Bo Naylor. Puerto Rico has Nolan Arenado, the Great Britain team has Jazz Chisholm Jr., Mexico has Jarren Duran, Italy has Vinnie Pasquantino and on and on. Full rosters can be viewed here.
Who do you think will take it all? Cast your vote in MLBTR’s poll.
Who will win the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
Photo courtesy of Sam Navarro, Imagn Images
Me.
There wasn’t the usual ‘Other’ selection available.
I managed to vote, (Yawn)
I see Dante Bichette Jr leading Team Brazil to the finish line.
Nicaragua is about to shock the world!
Where is the Dodgers option?
Sir, that’s Team Japan, but obviously Japan won’t win. Zero chance. /sarcasm
It’s obviously Team Australia. Don’t underestimate the folks from down under! This will be a huge surprise!
After seeing what they brought the world in women’s break dancing, I will never count out the Aussies again!!
We exiled her after that
I always think of this as Japan’s tournament to lose.
Their pitching isn’t nearly as good this time. Huge drop off in the rotation after Yamamoto
Iran isn’t a choice?
They aren’t even in the tournament.
They’re a little busy at the moment.
Team USA. I’d like Chinese Taipei vs Team USA though.
Val Verde, the fake Central American country in Die Hard 2 and Commando.
Pretty predictable results for a US website.
I thought Puerto Rico was forced to withdrawal because of BS insurance issues and maybe even visa issues
Every now and then I’m reminded why I don’t come here much anymore.
I actually voted for them because of how they were screwed over in the 2017 WBC. Lost one game the entire tournament and it was the final game of the tournament. Yet team USA lost at least twice also I was rooting for Javy Baez too. And without him we wouldn’t have got one of the best throw and catches in the last 15 years. No look tag no less. And the finger point to Yadi before the ball hit his glove.
Also at the time my boss was also Puerto Rican and it was a few things we shared in common other than being a fan of baseball
I think it was 2017 that I bet him lunch that the Cubs would at least avoid getting swept by the Yankees at Wrigley. Of course the Yankees swept and I bought him lunch
No, it was Mastercard inssues.
I hear they have an electrician that can really pitch.
Pitchers are supposed to be lights-out, though. Not lights on🤭
I was going to vote for Greenland/Denmark but couldn’t find them…
Went to the USA at Giants game yesterday. Unreal experience.
I think this year’s USA squad has a deeper pitching staff than 23’s with a really solid defense, especially on the grass.
Anything can happen in a single elimination format but the US should at least reach the final.
I honestly didn’t know there were that many nations competing
USA!
This is the best pitching staff the USA has sent to the WBC, so i think that gets them over the hump this time. My darkhorse is Venezuela.
I voted USA but I think Japan will actually win.
USA roster is deep and thst lineup is unreal
Left, right, left, right. No breaks.
Reminds me of Randy Newman being a voice guest star on family guy. Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot.
Not exactly the same but close enough.
What? Iran is not fielding a team. Last time they were the bomb
@OldYork,
And don’t forget D.C. and Puerto Rico!
Give me team P.R they play with heart & fire 🔥🇵🇷
Real shame tournament organizers jacked-up ticket prices so severely for the 2026 WBC. Used to see 4-5 games for the price of one game this year.
Japan is the team to beat. I would hope for USA or Italy but think it will be Japan
I see it as a wide open tournament in some regard with Japan, U.S.A., D.R., Venezuala, Italy, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Canada having an opportunity to win it all.
Pool A: I like Puerto Rico and Canada to advance to the quarterfinals. Puerto Rico should be the favorite in that game with Seth Lugo or Elmer Rodriguez getting the ball against Jameson Taillon or Michael Soroka. Cuba surprisingly is the softest team in this pool. Logan Allen could win two games for Panama and sneak them into the quarterfinals. Jose Quintana will have to do the same for Columbia to advance. I like Canada to advance to the semifinals.
Pool B: The U.S. is seemingly a lock to advance but they could fall in pool play. Mexico has a good team and a good bullpen behind Javier Assad and Taijuan Walker. Italy has Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen, a good bullpen and a stacked lineup. Italy can hit with team U.S.A. A one loss team likely advances to the quarterfinals and it could be sneaky Great Britain spoiling the party.for the favorites. Gary Gill Hill or Brendan Beck could have a good start and G.B. has some hitters. They can pull off an upset. Interesting and competitive pool. I like Italy and the U.S. to advance with Italy pulling off the upset in the quarterfinals.
Pool C: Easily the weakest of the pools. The Japanese should advance easily. Im unfamiliar with the rosters of most teams in pool C but feel like it will come down to Chinese Taipei and Korea for a quartefinal birth. Its hard to pick a winner here but Japan advances to the semifinals.
Pool D: D.R. is stacked. They should advance easily with Sandy Alcanatara or Christopher Sanchez getting the ball in the quarterfinals. Venezuala should also advance, they are stacked too with Ranger Suarez starting in the Semifinals. Netherlands have a good team but dont have the pitching to have a realistic shot at advancing. Nicaragua should beat Israel for fourth place. I like Venezuala in an upset over the D.R. in the quarterfinals.
Semifinals:
Canada vs. Italy — Tallion and Nola will likely have pitched in the quarterfinals, so your looking at Michael Soroka for Canada vs. Michael Lorenzon for Italy. I like Italy to advance to the finals with Nola getting the ball in the Championship
Japan vs. Venezuala — after bumping off the D.R. in the quarterfinals, its going to be E. Rod or Montero in the semifinals for Venezuala. Its going to be Yamamoto or Ohtani for Japan. Tough matchup for Venezuala here and difficult to pick against Japan. Japan advances.
Finals: Italy vs. Japan — I have to say again, Yamamoto and Ohtani are a force for the Japanese but Italy has a good bullpen and their lineup is stacked. Nola can get them three or four good.innings and their bullpen can bring it home. Im taking Italy to win the WBC.
Should be a good tournament.
Wow apparently you didn’t know what Team USA has. Sure Italy has a lot of big leaguers but none of them are stars. Team USA only has Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Logan Webb, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman, Bobby Witt Jr, Gunnar Henderson, Cal Raleigh, Mason Miller, as their tier one. (I left out Skubal because’s he’s making only one start). And one of Roman Anthony, Byron Buxton, Aaron Judge, and PCA will be sitting down.
Ohtani not pitching
Speaking of the WBC, the DR’s chances just got worse when Pena suffered an injury. And speaking of that, when is MLBTR going to report this. After his MRI?
Why wasnt Texas listed?
Because it is post 1845.
Wow team Taiwan got 26 votes.
USA beat Canada in hockey only right that Josh Naylor and Co go on a dream run and take it home
(But really I think DR is going to take it)
Clearly the answer is Columbia…
2% voted for Israel Lmao. The championship was promised to them 3000 years ago
F@$k Israel!
Israel all the way because half the teams will forfeit instead of playing them
Team USA will win… on behalf of team Israel, of course.
Where’s the “Don’t Care” option?
Team Israel has ONE actual Israeli. we are so colonized.
Not one mention anywhere of yesterday’s brawl? It wasn’t your typical standing around with an occasional shove baseball fight.
My money is on the best performing team taking home the title. Mark it.
Why is there not a “who cares?” Option.
No support for Brazil? Their payroll is higher than the dodgers. Several Brazilian
Everyone loses when it comes to the WBC