Inside Canada’s baseball team: A complete roster and more about 2026 World Baseball Classic team originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the first time in tournament history, Team Canada is showing up to the World Baseball Classic as one of the favorites.
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Even without the presence of perennial All-Star Freddie Freeman, the 2026 roster is being hailed as the deepest and most talented Maple Leaf squad ever assembled. Anchored by the explosive energy of the Naylor brothers and a formidable veteran rotation featuring Jameson Taillon and a resurgent Michael Soroka, Canada enters Pool A in San Juan with a clear mission: break their first-round curse and secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
With a lineup packed with major-league power and a path that avoids the usual giants like Team USA, this is arguably Canada’s best shot at a podium finish since the tournament’s inception.
Here’s everything you need to know about Team Canada’s roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
MORE:Â Team USA’s projected WBC lineup
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Canada World Baseball Classic roster 2026
Even without the three-time World Series champion Freeman, Canada still has plenty of talent to boast.
Pitchers
Player
Team
Throws
Logan Allen
Free Agent
L
Micah Ashman
Baltimore Orioles
L
Phillippe Aumont
Free Agent
R
Jordan Balazovic
Uni-President Lions
R
Eric Cerantola
Kansas City Royals
R
Indigo Diaz
Arizona Diamondbacks
R
Brock Dykxhoorn
Uni-President Lions
R
Antoine Jean
Colorado Rockies
L
Adam Macko
Toronto Blue Jays
L
James Paxton
Retired/Return
L
Cal Quantrill
Texas Rangers
R
Noah Skirrow
Philadelphia Phillies
R
Michael Soroka
Arizona Diamondbacks
R
Jameson Taillon
Chicago Cubs
R
Matt Wilkinson
Cleveland Guardians
L
Rob Zastryzny
Milwaukee Brewers
L
Catchers
Player
Team
Bats/Throws
Liam Hicks
Miami Marlins
L/R
Bo Naylor
Cleveland Guardians
L/R
Infielders
Player
Team
Position
Bats/Throws
Tyler Black
Milwaukee Brewers
INF
L/R
Matt Davidson
NC Dinos
INF
R/R
Adam Hall
Free Agent
INF
R/R
Edouard Julien
Colorado Rockies
INF
L/R
Otto Lopez
Miami Marlins
INF
R/R
Josh Naylor
Seattle Mariners
1B
L/L
Abraham Toro
Kansas City Royals
INF
S/R
Outfielders
Player
Team
Position
Bats/Throws
Owen Caissie
Miami Marlins
OF
L/R
Denzel Clarke
Athletics
OF
R/R
Tyler O’Neill
Baltimore Orioles
OF
R/R
Jacob Robson
Free Agent
OF
L/R
Jared Young
New York Mets
OF
L/R
MORE:Â Dominican Republic WBC roster is loaded with stars
Canada players to watch in World Baseball Classic
All-star slugger Josh Naylor is the headliner for 2026, stepping into the massive void left by Freddie Freeman (who opted out due to personal reasons) to provide middle-of-the-order power. He is joined by his brother, Bo Naylor, a foundational catcher for the Guardians who has grown into a leader for this Canadian squad.
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Edouard Julien, now with the Colorado Rockies, remains a high-upside player to watch. After a strong showing in 2023, he’s expected to be a primary catalyst for an offense that has more major-league experience than ever before.
In the outfield, Tyler O’Neill (now with the Baltimore Orioles) continues to be the primary power source. He is joined by the highly-touted Owen Caissie of the Miami Marlins, who was recently a centerpiece of a blockbuster trade that sent Edward Cabrera to the Chicago Cubs. Caissie’s raw power and elite athleticism make him one of the most exciting young players in the entire tournament.
The pitching staff is significantly bolstered by the return of veteran Cal Quantrill, now pitching for the Texas Rangers. While the staff will miss the high-velocity arm of Matt Brash (who was a late withdrawal), Quantrill provides the steady, veteran presence needed in short-series tournament play. He’s joined at the top of the rotation by Jameson Taillon and Michael Soroka, giving Canada its most complete starting trio in years.
MORE:Â Injury insurance is changing the World Baseball Classic
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Who is coaching Canada in the World Baseball Classic?
Canada is being led by legendary manager Ernie Whitt, who will guide the national team in a record-breaking sixth World Baseball Classic. Whitt has managed Canada in every WBC since the tournament’s inception in 2006 and was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009. A staple of Canadian baseball history, he played for the Blue Jays from 1977 to 1989. For Whitt, the ambition remains the same: finally breaking through to the knockout stages.
“This roster reflects the growth and strength of baseball in Canada,” Whitt said during the roster announcement in February. “Every opportunity to manage Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic is incredibly special, and I’m honored to once again lead this group.”
The staff also features significant star power in the coaching boxes, with 2006 American League MVP Justin Morneau making his international coaching debut as the team’s hitting coach. Rounding out the group are first base coach Russell Martin and third base coach Stubby Clapp, both of whom transitioned from legendary playing careers for Team Canada to guiding the next generation from the dugout.
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MORE:Â Buster Posey will change Hall of Fame voting forever
Canada World Baseball Classic history
Canada is still hunting for its first appearance in the knockout rounds. While they have secured significant individual victories, they have yet to finish in the top two of their pool. Their signature moment remains the 2006 upset of the United States, but tie-breakers ultimately kept them from advancing.
In 2023, Canada finished with a 2-2 record — their best win-loss total since 2006 — but a win-or-go-home loss to Mexico in the pool finale ended their run.
Year
Result
Final Game
2006
Eliminated in pools
9-1 loss to Mexico
2009
Eliminated in pools
6-2 loss to Italy
2013
Eliminated in pools
9-4 loss to USA
2017
Eliminated in pools
8-0 loss to USA
2023
Eliminated in pools
10-3 loss to Mexico
MORE:Â Team USA’s projected WBC lineup is incredible
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Canada World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule
Canada will compete in Pool A, hosted at the historic Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They will face a gauntlet of Caribbean powerhouses, including the host nation and a formidable Cuban squad. The tournament for Canada begins on March 7 against Colombia.
Date
Game
Time (ET)
Channel (U.S.)
Mar. 7
Colombia vs. Canada
11:00 a.m.
FS1
Mar. 8
Panama vs. Canada
7:00 p.m.
FS1
Mar. 10
Canada vs. Puerto Rico
7:00 p.m.
FS1
Mar. 11
Canada vs. Cuba
3:00 p.m.
FS2