The World Baseball Classic has been the premier opportunity for nations to claim bragging rights as to who produces the best baseball players.
The professional baseball tournament that began in 2006 is back in its sixth rendition featuring 20 national baseball teams to compete in games around the world from March 5 to March 17.
Pool play will be played in in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; Tokyo, Japan, and Miami, Florida. The quarterfinals will be held in Houston and Miami, while the semifinals and final are in Miami.
In the last WBC tournament, Japan defeated the defending champions United States, 3-2, in the 2023 WBC championship game to claim their record-extending third title.
It was one of the most watched games in baseball history, attracting 5.2 million viewers in the United States and 62 million from Japan.
The game ended with an epic showdown between then-Los Angeles Angels teammates Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani, a dual threat as a pitcher and hitter, pitched against Trout, a home-run maestro himself. Ohtani was named MVP.
This year, the U.S. includes the likes of Aaron Judge, pitchers Logan Webb and Paul Skenes, and sluggers Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Bobby Witt Jr.
Here’s what you need to know about the World Baseball Classic:
When is the World Baseball Classic?
The World Baseball Classic will run from March 5 to March 17. Here is the full schedule.
How to watch the World Baseball Classic?
Viewing options for the World Baseball Classic differ based on the country region. For example, the WBC will be livestreamed on Netflix in Japan, while in Oceania it will be on ESPN.
FOX Sports has the broadcast of the WBC in the United States. Broadcasts will also be aired on FOX, FS1, FS2 and Tubi.
Which countries are participating?
There are 20 national teams participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The tournament will consist of four pools with five teams each.
Here are the following pools, nations and where they will play during the pool play:
Pool A: San Juan
Pool B: Houston
Pool C: Tokyo
Pool D: Miami
Who plays for Team USA?
Here’s the World Baseball Classic roster for Team USA:
Pitchers
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Garrett Cleavinger, LHP, Tampa Bay Rays
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Clay Holmes, RHP, New York Mets
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Nolan McLean, RHP, New York Mets
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Mason Miller, RHP, San Diego Padres
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Joe Ryan, RHP, Minnesota Twins
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Paul Skenes, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Tarik Skubal, LHP, Detroit Tigers
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Michael Wacha, RHP, Kansas City Royals
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Logan Webb, RHP, San Francisco Giants
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Garrett Whitlock, RHP, Boston Red Sox
Catchers
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Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
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Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers
Infielders
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Alex Bregman, 3B, Chicago Cubs
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Ernie Clement, INF, Toronto Blue Jays
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Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, New York Yankees
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Bryce Harper, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies
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Gunnar Henderson, SS, Baltimore Orioles
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Brice Turang, 2B, Milwaukee Brewers
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Bobby Witt Jr., SS, Kansas City Royals
Outfielders
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Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox
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Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
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Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs
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Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Designated hitter
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Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies
When is the next World Baseball Classic?
Based on the usual quadrennial format, the next World Baseball Classic tournament is expected to be in 2030.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Baseball Classic: TV, how to watch, USA roster, pool play
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