2026 World Baseball Classic

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2026 World Baseball Classic
Tournament details
CountryTBD
DatesTBD
Teams20
← 2023

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is an upcoming international professional baseball tournament, planned to be the sixth iteration of the World Baseball Classic (WBC).[1] Most of the information regarding the tournament is still yet to be determined, including tournament format, dates, and venues.[2]

Japan are the defending champions after they defeated the United States 3–2 in the 2023 championship game.[3]

Teams[edit]

Qualification[edit]

16 teams qualified for the 2026 tournament by being in the top four of their pool in the 2023 tournament. Other participants will be determined through the qualifying tournament.[4]

Qualified teams
Region Team Qualification
method
Prev.
apps
Previous best result WBSC World
Rankings[5]
Americas  Canada 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C 3rd Place 5 Pool stage (2006, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023) 16
 Cuba 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool A Winner 5 Runners-up (2006) 8
 Dominican Republic 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool D 3rd Place 5 Champions (2013) 9
 Mexico 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C Winner 5 Third place (2023) 2
 Panama 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool A 4th Place 3 Pool stage (2006, 2009, 2023) 10
 Puerto Rico 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool D Runner-Up 5 Runners-up (2013, 2017) 12
 United States 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C Runner-Up 5 Champions (2017) 3
 Venezuela 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool D Winner 5 Fourth place (2009) 6
Asia  Japan 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B Winner 5 Champions (2006, 2009, 2023) 1
 South Korea 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B 3rd Place 5 Runners-up (2009) 4
Europe  Czech Republic 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B 4th Place 1 Pool stage (2023) 15
 Great Britain 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool C 4th Place 1 Pool stage (2023) 18
 Israel 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool D 4th Place 2 Quarterfinals (2017) 19
 Italy 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool A Runner-Up 5 Quarterfinals (2013, 2023) 14
 Netherlands 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool A 3rd Place 5 Fourth place (2013, 2017) 7
Oceania  Australia 2023 World Baseball Classic Pool B Runner-Up 5 Quarterfinals (2023) 11

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Classic will return in 2026, Commissioner confirms". MLB.com. March 21, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  2. ^ Blum, Ronald (March 21, 2023). "WBC returns in March 2026, retaining spring training slot". Associated Press. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  3. ^ "Japan tops Team USA in dramatic finish to claim 3rd Classic title". MLB.com. March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  4. ^ Clair, Michael (March 10, 2023). "No surprise here: Ohtani dominates on hill, at plate". MLB.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "WBSC Rankings - Men's baseball on 28/06/21". World Baseball Softball Confederation. Retrieved July 2, 2021.

External links[edit]