The 2026 World Baseball Classic begins this week with four pools of five teams each competing in round-robin format. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals, followed by single-elimination rounds. MLB.com reporters provide breakdowns and predictions for each group.
The tournament features Pool A at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, with teams Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and host Puerto Rico. Described as the most balanced pool, it includes improved squads from Colombia and Panama with veteran pitchers and Major League hitters. Puerto Rico fields Edwin Díaz in relief, Nolan Arenado at third base, Seth Lugo on the mound, and Heliot Ramos in the outfield, despite some health-related absences. Canada's roster highlights the Naylor brothers, Tyler O’Neill, Denzel Clarke, and starter Jameson Taillon. Colombia relies on Jose Quintana and Julio Teheran in rotation, with Gio Urshela at third. Panama features infielder José Caballero and outfielder Edmundo Sosa, while Cuba brings back 44-year-old Alexei Ramirez and Alfredo Despaigne, the all-time WBC home run leader. Under-the-radar prospects include Canada's Owen Caissie, Puerto Rico's Elmer Rodríguez, Colombia's Michael Arroyo, and Panama's Enrique Bradfield Jr. Prediction: Puerto Rico and Canada advance.
Pool B at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, pits Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, and the United States. The U.S. aims to reclaim the title lost to Japan in the 2023 final, boasting stars like Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Bryce Harper, Cal Raleigh, and Bobby Witt Jr. Mexico, semifinalists in 2023, features Randy Arozarena, Jarren Duran, Alejandro Kirk, and Andrés Muñoz. Italy, with a quarterfinal run last time, includes Vinnie Pasquantino, Aaron Nola, Adam Ottavino, and Jac Caglianone. Great Britain's headliner is Jazz Chisholm Jr. Notable undercard players: Brazil's legacy trio Dante Bichette Jr., Lucas Ramirez, and Joseph Contreras; Great Britain's Harry Ford; Italy's Kyle Teel; Mexico's Jonathan Aranda; U.S.'s Roman Anthony. Prediction: United States and Italy advance.
Pool C at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, includes Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Japan, and Korea. Japan, with three WBC titles and recent Olympic gold, relies on Shohei Ohtani (not pitching), Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Hiromi Itoh, Kazuma Okamoto, Munetaka Murakami, Masataka Yoshida, and Seiya Suzuki. Chinese Taipei seeks upsets after their 2024 Premier12 win over Japan. Korea faces injuries but has Jung Hoo Lee. Australia adds 2024 No. 1 draft pick Travis Bazzana. Czechia, 2025 European bronze medalists, features Jan Novak. Other notables: Chinese Taipei's Chieh-Hsien Chen; Korea's Hyun-Min Ahn; Japan's Kensuke Kondoh. Prediction: Japan and Chinese Taipei advance.
Pool D at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, features Dominican Republic, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The Dominican Republic, 2013 champions, fields Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez, Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Cristopher Sánchez, and Sandy Alcantara. Venezuela counters with Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio, Salvador Perez, Luis Arraez, Eugenio Suárez, and Gleyber Torres. Netherlands has Xander Bogaerts, Ozzie Albies, and Kenley Jansen; Israel Harrison Bader, Tommy Kahnle, and Spencer Horwitz; Nicaragua Mark Vientos. Under-the-radar: Netherlands' Druw Jones and Ceddanne Rafaela; Israel's Cole Carrigg; Nicaragua's Ismael Munguia. Prediction: Dominican Republic and Venezuela advance.
