Samurai Japan has unveiled its squad for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, featuring a record eight Major League Baseball players. Manager Hirokazu Ibata announced the roster on Monday, bringing back 15 members from the 2023 championship team, including stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team will aim to defend its title with deep experience and talent.
Manager Hirokazu Ibata revealed Samurai Japan's roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic on Monday, marking a record with eight MLB-affiliated players. Among the selections are Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the Dodgers, both key contributors to Japan's 2023 victory. Other notable additions include Munetaka Murakami, who signed with the Chicago White Sox; Kazuma Okamoto, who joined the Toronto Blue Jays; and Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs, who missed the previous tournament due to injury.
The roster returns 15 players from the 2023 champions, providing substantial depth. However, two 2023 members are absent: Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, who faced injuries in his rookie season but shone in the postseason, and Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar, sidelined by offseason heel surgeries. One spot remains open and will be filled later.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto expressed enthusiasm in a statement on the Samurai Japan website: “Wearing a Japanese uniform once again fills me with a deep sense of pride and responsibility. I’ve trained hard this offseason to be in the best possible condition for the WBC. Together, with great teammates and a dependable coaching staff, we’ll unite as one and aim for the top.”
The full roster, as of January 26, includes pitchers like Yusei Kikuchi (Angels), Yuki Matsui (Padres), and Tomoyuki Sugano (Orioles free agent); catchers such as Yuhei Nakamura (Tokyo Yakult Swallows); infielders including Sosuke Genda (Saitama Seibu Lions) and Shugo Maki (DeNA BayStars); and outfielders like Kensuke Kondo (SoftBank Hawks) and Ukyo Shuto (SoftBank Hawks). Asterisks denote 2023 participants, with MLB players in bold.
Japan-based players will train in Miyazaki Prefecture from February 14 to 24, followed by the Samurai Japan Series starting February 27. MLB players join for exhibitions in Osaka on March 2. Placed in Pool C with Australia, South Korea, Czechia, and Chinese Taipei, Japan opens against Chinese Taipei on March 6 at Tokyo Dome. The nation has won the tournament three times: 2006, 2009, and 2023.
