Eight teams advance to the knockout stage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic after pool play concludes. The quarterfinals feature high-stakes games starting Friday in Miami and Houston, with the winner advancing to semifinals in Miami.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic shifts to single-elimination format with quarterfinals on March 13 and 14. On Friday at loanDepot park in Miami, the Dominican Republic faces Korea at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS2. The Dominican Republic went 4-0 in Pool D, defeating Nicaragua 12-3, the Netherlands 12-1, Israel 10-1 and Venezuela 7-5, hitting 13 home runs—one shy of the tournament record. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said, "We are going to continue doing what we are doing. We don't have to change anything to beat any team." Korea advanced from Pool C with a 2-2 record via tiebreakers, including a 7-2 win over Australia. Probable starters are Hyun Jin Ryu for Korea and Cristopher Sánchez for the Dominican Republic.
Later Friday at Daikin Park in Houston, the United States meets Canada at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Both teams finished 3-1; the U.S. beat Brazil 15-5, Great Britain 9-1 and Mexico 5-3 before losing 8-6 to Italy, advancing thanks to Italy's win over Mexico. Canada topped Colombia 8-2, lost 4-3 to Panama, then beat Puerto Rico 3-2 and Cuba 7-2. Logan Webb starts for the U.S. against Michael Soroka for Canada.
Saturday's action begins with Puerto Rico versus Italy at 3 p.m. ET in Houston on FS1. Italy went 4-0 in Pool B, highlighted by Vinnie Pasquantino's record three-homer game against Mexico and 12 team home runs. Puerto Rico was 3-1 in Pool A with a 1.22 ERA, losing only 3-2 to Canada. Seth Lugo pitches for Puerto Rico against a to-be-determined Italian starter.
The day ends with Venezuela against Japan at 9 p.m. ET in Miami on FOX. Japan was perfect at 4-0 in Pool C, with Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida each hitting two home runs and driving in six. Venezuela went 3-1, losing 7-5 to the Dominican Republic, led by Luis Arraez's 7-for-14 with four doubles and two homers. Ranger Suárez faces Yoshinobu Yamamoto. This is the first World Baseball Classic meeting between Venezuela and Japan.