Japan and the United States are early favorites for the 2026 World Baseball Classic; bettors may back Japan to repeat or take a futures bet on stacked Team USA. Consider player props (Ohtani hits, Aaron Judge homers) and team totals, plus value wagers on host Puerto Rico to advance from Pool A given home-field edge.
2026 World Baseball Classic Preview: Schedule, Pools, Rosters and Betting Angles
Tournament Dates and Host Cities
The 2026 World Baseball Classic runs March 5–17 with pool play from March 5–11, quarterfinals on March 13–14, semifinals March 15–16 and the championship game March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami. Games will be staged across stadiums in Puerto Rico, Japan and the MLB ballparks in the United States.
Pools and Teams
Pool A
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, Colombia
Pool B
United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, Brazil
Pool C
Japan, Australia, Korea, Czechia, Chinese Taipei
Pool D
Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, Nicaragua
Pool E
(If applicable — tournament comprises 20 teams across five pools)
Tournament Format
Teams play a single round-robin within their pools. The top two teams from each pool advance to the quarterfinals. Tiebreakers start with head-to-head; if still tied, a runs-allowed-per-defensive-out quotient is used. Quarterfinal matchups pair the winner of Pool A vs. runner-up Pool B and vice versa, with a similar structure for Pools C and D. The bracket is single-elimination; teams are reseeded for the semifinals, and the final is a one-game winner-take-all.
Past Champions and Context
Japan has won three WBC titles (2006, 2009, 2023). The United States (2017) and the Dominican Republic (2013) have also taken titles. Japan enters 2026 with recent WBC pedigree; the tournament often rewards deep rosters and timely pitching.
Rosters, Stars and Notable Absences
Many MLB stars have committed to the 2026 WBC:
- Team USA: Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Bryce Harper, Bobby Witt Jr.
- Japan: Shohei Ohtani (hitting only; will not pitch), Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Seiya Suzuki, Kazuma Okamoto, Munetaka Murakami
- Dominican Republic: Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Brayan Bello, Sandy Alcantara, Ketel Marte, Julio Rodríguez
- Venezuela: Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio, Salvador Pérez - Mexico: Alejandro Kirk, Jarren Duran, Randy Arozarena
Other notable contributors include Nolan Arenado for Puerto Rico, Vinnie Pasquantino for Italy, Jose Quintana for Colombia and Liam Hendriks for Australia.
Puerto Rico enters with home advantage but will be missing Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa due to insurance complications, which could shift roster value and betting markets.
Betting Angles and Market Implications
Japan and the United States are natural favorites given roster depth and star power; expect early futures to favor those teams.
The Dominican Republic offers high upside and could attract bettors looking for power offense. Home-field advantage makes Puerto Rico a sleepers’ pick to advance from Pool A.
Key prop markets to monitor:
- Player props: Ohtani hits, Judge homers, Soto RBI counts
- Team totals: Over/under runs for talent-heavy lineups (USA, Japan, Dominican Republic)
- Outsider value: Venezuela, Mexico or Puerto Rico advancing past pool play
Pitching availability (Ohtani not pitching) and late roster changes will influence odds, so monitor final rosters and injury updates before placing large bets.
How to Watch
Broadcast plans include major televised coverage and streaming on national sports networks and apps; the championship game will be nationally televised.
World Baseball Classic 2026: 5 big questions about Team USA’s roster
Check local listings and official broadcasters for exact channels and streaming windows.
Yahoo! News
