After a 3-2 loss to Japan in 2023, the United States is preparing to reclaim the World Baseball Classic title in 2026.
2023 World Baseball Classic Recap
The 2023 tournament saw the United States reach the final for the second time since winning the inaugural event in 2017. In a dramatic match, the Americans were defeated 3-2 by Japan, with Shohei Ohtani striking out Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to secure Japan’s third WBC title.
2026 Roster Highlights
Mark DeRosa’s roster for 2026 features a blend of veteran talent and emerging stars. The lineup is captained by New York Yankees three-time MVP Aaron Judge. It also includes Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, both of whom were the NL and AL MVP runners-up in 2025. The pitching staff is anchored by Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes and Detroit Tigers southpaw Tarik Skubal, the reigning Cy Young winners.
Tournament Schedule and Venues
The opening game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic is scheduled for March 4. Pool play will run from March 4 to March 11, followed by the quarterfinals on March 13-14, semifinals on March 15-16, and the championship game on March 17. Group stage games will be played across four cities and three countries: Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan; Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Daikin Park in Houston; and loanDepot Park in Miami. The quarterfinals will be held in Houston and Miami, while the semifinals and finals will be played in Miami.
Participating Teams and Pools
The World Baseball Classic features 20 teams split into four pools for the opening round, each assigned to one host 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, Japan): Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Japan, Korea
- Pool D (Miami): Dominican Republic, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Venezuela
Competition Format
The WBC opens with a round robin where teams play one game against each of the other clubs in their pool. The top two teams from each pool then advance to the knockout rounds, which are single-elimination. Teams from Pools A and B will play quarterfinal games in Houston, while clubs from Pools C and D will play in Miami.
Key Takeaways
- USA’s roster for 2026 is led by Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, Cal Raleigh, Paul Skenes, and Tarik Skubal.
- The tournament begins on March 4 and concludes on March 17, 2026.
- Group stage games are hosted in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami, with later rounds in Houston and Miami.
The United States is poised to bring a championship-caliber squad to the 2026 World Baseball Classic, aiming to turn the 3-2 defeat of 2023 into a triumphant comeback on the international stage.
