Credit: AP Photo
The World Baseball Classic is here.
If you’ve been missing international competition since the Olympics wrapped up, don’t worry, the World Baseball Classic is right around the corner.
The WBC format is four pools with five countries represented in each pool, starting March 5. The top two finishers from each pool will move to bracket play. Eight teams will play to get to make the championship game, which will be in Miami, FL, on March 17.
Early favorites are the United States, Dominican Republic, and the defending champs, Japan. But many others look to cause havoc in this go-around.
2026 World Baseball Classic bracketpic.twitter.com/sU3EZSNN7h
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) August 21, 2024
The Padres are represented in 2026
Fourteen Padres are participating within the organization in 2026. The Dominican Republic has the most Padres representation, with Italy and Mexico in second.
Pool A contains countries Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and the host team, Puerto Rico. Team Canada has right-handed pitcher Carter Lowen, who appeared in Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Paso last season. The other Padre in this pool is from team Panama, left-handed pitcher Miguel Cienfuegos, who also appeared in Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A El Paso.
Pool B features countries Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, and lastly the host United States. First, with team Italy, two Padres relievers, right-hander Ron Marinaccio, who pitched in seven games for the Padres last year. In addition, right-hander Alek Jacob appeared in 29 games last season for the major league club. Also in the pool, Team Mexico has a pair of Padres; left-handed Omar Cruz pitching in El Paso and right-hander Victor Lizarraga, who is also a minor leaguer. Closing out the pool for the United States and heading into his first full season as the Padres closer, Mason Miller will take the mound for the U.S before kicking off the 2026 MLB season.
Pool C showcases countries Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, host Japan, and Korea. No Padres are featured in this pool.
Pool D includes countries Dominican Republic, Israel, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The Dominican Republic brings three of the Padres’ top players. Two-time Gold Glove Award-winning right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. reps the DR for the first time. Joining him is three-time Silver Slugger third baseman Manny Machado in his third WBC appearance. Wandy Peralta joins the cast heading into his third year with the team. Also in this pool, Israel has right-hander Josh Mallitz, who pitched the majority of last year in Lake Elsinore. Third base coach Mark Loretta is also on staff for Israel. Wrapping up Pool D is The Netherlands’ Xander Bogaerts, who will be representing for the fourth time in the WBC.
Adam Jones saves a Home Run for Team USA Baseball #WBC pic.twitter.com/uITZPe7AuL
— Steven Breech (@steviebreech) August 4, 2025
How to watch
The World Baseball Classic officially kicks off on March 5 and runs through March 17, ending in Miami. Games will be played on Fox stations, including Fox, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, and the Fox app. Some games will also air on Tubi.
The Dominican Republic, containing the most Padres play on Friday, March 6, 4 p.m. PT on Fox Sports 2. Sunday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. PT on Fox. Monday, March 9, 9:00 a.m. PT on Fox Sports 1. Wednesday, March 11, 5:00 p.m. PT on Fox Sports 1.
The United States will play on Friday, March 6: vs. Brazil, 5:00 p.m. PT on Fox. Saturday, March 7: vs. Great Britain at 5:00 p.m. PT on Fox. Monday, March 9: vs. Mexico at 5:00 p.m. PT on Fox and Tuesday, March 10: vs. Italy at 6:00 p.m. PT on Fox Sports 1.
Hi Padres fans, I’m Wyatt Dearen. I am from Farmington, New Mexico, which is home to one of the most prestigious high school baseball tournaments in America, the Connie Mack World Series. When it comes around, I do color and statistics for the radio. I am currently pursuing a degree in Sports Administration at the University of Houston #GoCoogs. I have been a sports fan my whole life, following all the major sports leagues since I could walk, and it has been my dream my whole life to work in sports. Thankful to write about the team and for the East VillageTimes.
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