 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | TBD |
| Dates | TBD |
| Teams | 20 |
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
Qualification
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]
| 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
- ^ "Classic will return in 2026, Commissioner confirms". MLB.com. March 21, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
- ^ Blum, Ronald (March 21, 2023). "WBC returns in March 2026, retaining spring training slot". Associated Press. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "Japan tops Team USA in dramatic finish to claim 3rd Classic title". MLB.com. March 21, 2023. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ Clair, Michael (March 10, 2023). "No surprise here: Ohtani dominates on hill, at plate". MLB.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "WBSC Rankings - Men's baseball on 28/06/21". World Baseball Softball Confederation. Retrieved July 2, 2021.