The World Baseball Classic will return for its edition in 2026. The first round runs from 5-11 March with the final set for the 17th.
The pool play rounds will be staged in Miami, Florida; Houston, Texas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Tokyo, Japan. The quarter-finals will be split between Miami and Houston, and the final round will be played at loanDeport park in Miami.
This will be the second World Baseball Classic with a 20-team field.
In the latest development, organisers have announced the pools for the World Baseball Classic 2026. Just like in 2023, there will be four pools of five teams.
Puerto Rico will host Pool A in San Juan, where they will face Cuba, Canada, Panama and Colombia.
The 2023 runners-up United States are in Pool B in Houston including Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil. The Americans will take on Brazil in the opener on 6 March against Brazil.
Defending champions Japan will begin their title defense on 17 March against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome in a rematch of last year’s Premier12 final. They are joined in Pool C by Australia, Czechia and the Republic of Korea.
Pool D in Miami consists of Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel and Nicaragua.
Also Read: World Baseball Classic 2026: List Of Qualified Teams
World Baseball Classic 2026: Pools
| Pool | Location | Dates | Teams |
| A | San Juan | March 6–11 | Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, Colombia |
| B | Houston | March 6–11 | United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil |
| C | Tokyo | March 5–10 | Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czechia, Chinese Taipei |
| D | Miami | March 6–11 | Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, Nicaragua |
16 teams qualified for the 2026 tournament by being in the top four of their pool in the 2023 tournament. Four teams that advanced from the Qualifiers: Colombia (Pool A), Brazil (Pool B), Chinese Taipei (Pool C) and Nicaragua (Pool D).
World Baseball Classic 2026: Schedule
- March 5-11: Pool Stage
- Friday, March 13: Quarterfinal
- Sunday, March 15: Semifinal
- Monday, March 16: Semifinal
- Tuesday, March 17: Championship Final
