World Baseball Classic 2026 Schedule and Pools Revealed

The sixth edition of the global baseball tournament will feature 20 teams competing across four host cities.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to begin in less than two weeks, with the tournament featuring 20 teams divided into four pools. Round-robin play will take place in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals. The schedule has been released, showcasing the matchups and locations for the preliminary rounds leading up to the championship final in Miami on March 17.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic is one of the most anticipated international baseball events, showcasing the top talent from around the globe. This year's edition promises to be especially exciting, with stacked rosters of Major League Baseball stars competing for their home countries. The tournament provides a unique opportunity for fans to see their favorite players represent their national teams in high-stakes competition.

The details

The 20 teams have been divided into four pools for the preliminary round-robin play. Pool A features Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Pool B includes Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, and the United States. Pool C consists of Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Japan, and Korea. Pool D is made up of the Dominican Republic, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The action will begin on March 4 with Chinese Taipei facing Australia in Tokyo, and the final is scheduled for March 17 in Miami.

  • The World Baseball Classic will begin on March 4, 2026.
  • The championship final will take place on March 17, 2026 in Miami.

The players

Shohei Ohtani

Japanese professional baseball player who plays as a pitcher and outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels in Major League Baseball.

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What’s next

The preliminary round-robin games will take place from March 4-11, with the quarterfinals scheduled for March 13-14. The semifinals are set for March 15 and 16, leading up to the championship final on March 17 in Miami.

The takeaway

The 2026 World Baseball Classic promises to be an exciting showcase of international baseball talent, with 20 teams competing across four host cities. Fans can look forward to high-stakes matchups between some of the sport's biggest stars as they represent their home countries on the global stage.