The 20 teams, 16 invited from 2023 and four from 2025 Qualifiers, will split into four groups. The opening round is scheduled from March 5 to 11. The quarterfinals will happen on March 13 and 14. The championship round will start on March 15, with the World Championship Final scheduled for March 17 in Miami.
World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI) announced groups and dates for the World Baseball Classic 2026. The event is scheduled from March 5 to 17, 2026, in Miami, Houston, San Juan (Puerto Rico) and Tokyo (Japan).
The 16 teams that finished within the top four of their respective first-round pools in the 2023 Classic are invited to play in 2026. The four teams advancing from the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers will also play.
San Juan will host Pool A from March 6 to 11. World No. 12 Puerto Rico will host No. 16 Canada, No. 8 Cuba, No. 10 Panama and the winner of a qualifying tournament. The Hiram Bithom Stadium also served as a first-round venue in 2006, 2009 and 2013.
The 2023 runner-up and World No. 3 USA will host No. 18 Great Britain, No. 14 Italy, No. 2 Mexico and the winner of a qualifier in Pool B in Houston from March 6 to 11. Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros, will host the World Baseball Classic for the first time.
The defending World Champions and No. 1 Japan will host No. 11 Australia, No. 15 Czechia, No. 4 Korea and the winner of a qualifier in Pool C in Tokyo from March 5 to 10. The Dome has hosted pools in each of the previous five World Baseball Classics.
Miami will host Pool D from March 6 to 11, featuring No. 9 Dominican Republic, No. 19 Israel, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 6 Venezuela, and the winner of a qualifier. The home of the Miami Marlins, loanDepot Park became the first venue to host games in all three rounds of the World Baseball Classic in 2023.
Houston and Miami will host the quarterfinals on March 13 and 14. The teams advancing from groups A and B will play at Minute Maid Park, while those qualifying from groups C and D will compete at loanDepot Park. If the United States advance to the quarterfinals, they will play on Friday, March 13, regardless of their placement. Similarly, if Samurai Japan advance to the quarterfinal round in Miami, their game will take place on Saturday, March 14, regardless of whether they are the Pool C winner or runner-up.
Miami will host the championship round. The semifinals are scheduled on March 15 and 16, while the World Championship Final will be played on Tuesday, March 17.
WBCI informed that ticketing information will be announced later. Fans can register now at worldbaseballclassic.com/tickets to receive the most up-to-date information, including how to receive exclusive priority access before tickets go on sale.
The WBSC sanctions the World Baseball Classic and has awarded the winners the title of Baseball World Champion since the 2013 edition.
