The sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic takes place in March, with 20 countries vying to claim bragging rights in the sport’s premier international tournament.
The 20 countries were broken into four pools in different locations, with each team playing the other four in the group. Pool A will be played in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Pool B in Houston; Pool C in Tokyo and Pool D in Miami.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, which will be held in Miami and Houston. The semifinals (March 15-16) and championship game (March 17) will also be played in Miami at LoanDepot Park, home of the Marlins. The tournament’s first games will be played in Tokyo on Thursday, March 5, with Team USA beginning its campaign on Saturday, March 6 against Brazil in Houston. Defending champion Japan’s first game is Friday, March 6 against Chinese Taipei.
Here’s a look at the 2026 World Baseball Classic pools and schedule
2026 World Baseball Classic schedule and pools
Pool A (San Juan, PR)
Puerto Rico
Panama
Cuba
Canada
Colombia
Pool A schedule
March 6: Cuba vs. Panama
March 6: Puerto Rico vs. Colombia
March 7: Colombia vs. Canada
March 7: Panama vs. Puerto Rico
March 8: Colombia vs. Cuba
March 9: Colombia vs. Panama
March 9: Cuba vs. Puerto Rico
March 10: Canada vs. Puerto Rico
March 11: Canada vs. Cuba
Pool B (Houston)
United States
Mexico
Italy
Great Britain
Brazil
Pool B schedule
March 6: Mexico vs. Great Britain
March 6: United States vs. Brazil
March 7: Brazil vs. Italy
March 7: Great Britain vs. United States
March 8: Great Britain vs. Italy
March 8: Brazil vs. Mexico
March 9: Brazil vs. Great Britain
March 9: Mexico vs. United States
March 10: Italy vs. United States
March 11: Italy vs. Mexico
Pool C (Tokyo)
Japan
South Korea
Australia
Czechia
Chinese Taipei
Pool C schedule
March 5: Chinese Taipei vs. Australia
March 5: Czechia vs. South Korea
March 6: Australia vs. Czechia
March 6: Japan vs. Chinese Taipei
March 7: Chinese Taipei vs. Czechia
March 7: South Korea vs. Japan
March 8: Chinese Taipei vs. South Korea
March 8: Australia vs. Japan
March 9: South Korea vs. Australia
March 10: Czechia vs. Japan
Pool D (Miami)
Venezuela
Netherlands
Dominican Republic
Israel
Nicaragua
Pool D schedule
March 6: Netherlands vs. Venezuela
March 6: Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic
March 7: Nicaragua vs. Netherlands
March 7: Israel vs. Venezuela
March 8: Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic
March 8: Nicaragua vs. Israel
March 9: Dominican Republic vs. Israel
March 9: Venezuela vs. Nicaragua
March 10: Israel vs. Netherlands
March 11: Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela