Baseball fans, rejoice! The 2026 World Baseball Classic officially began Wednesday with the start of pool play. Colombia and Brazil secured the final two spots in this year’s tournament in qualifiers, rounding out the field of 20 nations set to compete.
This year marks the sixth iteration of the international baseball tournament, with Japan the reigning champion after defeating Team USA 3-2 in the 2023 final. While a few games have already been played — most notably two wins for Australia — the full schedule begins on Friday.
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The Americans have taken home one WBC title, back in 2017, and they’re looking for a second with a loaded roster that includes 22 MLB All-Stars — the most of any roster in the tournament. Among those who will represent Team USA are Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge, just to name a few of the stars, with the U.S. currently the favorite (-105) over Japan (+350) at BetMGM.
During pool play, games will be played in Tokyo, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Miami and Houston. The pool stage runs through March 11, followed by the quarterfinals (March 13 and 14) and semifinals (March 15 and 16). It all culminates with the WBC final on March 17, which will be played at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Games will air across Fox, FS1, FS2 and Fox Deportes, with streaming for all games available with a Fox One subscription.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news and updates from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Live42 updates
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 9:34 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 9:34 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 8:49 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 4:44 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Japan had no problem with Chinese Taipei as they got off to a winning start at the World Baseball Classic on Friday. Shohei Ohtani’s grand slam and five RBI, along with Sōsuke Genda’s three hits and four RBI provided much of the offense in the 13-0 victory.
Chinese Taipei could not solve Samurai Japan’s pitching staff, which held them to without a hit until the sixth inning.
The game ended after seven innings due to the early termination rule, which allows games to be called if a team is leading by 15 runs after five innings or 10 runs after seven innings.
Japan will next face Korea on Saturday (5 a.m. ET; FS1), while Chinese Taipei will play Czechia on Friday (10 p.m. ET; FS2).
TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 06: Shohei Ohtani #16 of Team Japan celebrates after hits a grand slam in the second inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Japan and Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome on March 06, 2026 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Gene Wang – Capture At Media/Getty Images)
(Gene Wang – Capture At Media via Getty Images)Fri, March 6, 2026 at 4:34 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 4:19 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Darvish is recovering from UCL surgery that he had in late October. He is expected to miss the entire 2026 season because of the procedure.
The veteran right-hander took part in two WBCs and was a part of two winning sides with Japan.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 4:13 AM PST
Sean Leahy
The 33-year-old Genda, who plays for the NPB’s Saitama Seibu Lions, picked up his third hit in the top of the sixth inning with Japan up 13-0.
The infielder, a six-time NPB All-Star, also has four RBI in the game.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 4:06 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Japan’s 10-run second inning set a new WBC record for most runs in an inning. The previous record was held by South Korea, who scored eight on China in the third inning of a 22-2 victory during the 2023 tournament.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 4:02 AM PST
Sean Leahy
Ohtani and Japan got out to an early lead as the Dodgers star drilled a grand slam off Chinese Taipei pitcher Cheng Hao-Chun.
Through five innings, and Japan holding a 13-0 lead, Ohtani is 3-for-4 with 1 run and 5 RBI.
Fri, March 6, 2026 at 2:00 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Friday marks the first full day of games in the pool stage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Here’s a look at the tournament schedule for Friday as Chinese Taipei taking on Japan bright and early, with first pitch set for 5 a.m. ET.takes
WBC schedule for Friday, March 6
*All times listed are ET
5 a.m. ET: Chinese Taipei vs. Japan (FS1)
11 a.m.: Panama vs. Cuba (FS2)
Noon: Venezuela vs. Netherlands (Tubi)
1 p.m.: Great Britain vs. Mexico (FS1)
6 p.m.: Colombia vs. Puerto Rico (FS1)
7 p.m.: Dominican Republic vs. Nicaragua (FS2)
8 p.m.: Brazil vs. U.S. (Fox)
10 p.m.: Czechia vs. Chinese Taipei (FS2)
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 9:32 PM PST
Jack Baer
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 9:30 PM PST
Jack Baer
Australia got some insurance runs in the ninth inning and is now 2-0 in the WBC. They shockingly reached group play in 2023 thanks to a win over Korea, and can do the same thing with a win on Monday.
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM PST
Jack Baer
One inning later, the Australians lead, courtesy of a three-run homer from Curtis Mead.
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 7:41 PM PST
Jack Baer
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 7:36 PM PST
Jack Baer
The first run of the game belongs to Czechia, which takes a 1-0 lead on a second-inning rally. They did Australia a favor, though, when Martin Muzik bunted on ball 4 with a 3-0 count and no outs. A walk would have loaded the bases, and Australia pitcher Josh Hendrickson had thrown seven straight balls at that point.
Vojtech Mensik brought in the run a batter later, then Williams Escala flied out to end the inning.
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 7:09 PM PST
Jack Baer
Game 3 of the 2026 World Baseball Classic is underway at the Tokyo Dome, with Australia looking to follow up their win over Chinese Taipei and Czechia trying to bounce back from their lopsided loss to Korea.
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 2:44 PM PST
Ian Casselberry
The Dominican Republic will be without shortstop Jeremy Peña for the WBC after he fractured a finger during Wednesday’s exhibition with the Detroit Tigers.
The injury was sustained when Peña fielded a hard-hit grounder from Wencell Pérez in the third inning. The Houston Astros’ shortstop wanted to stay in the game but left after striking out in the bottom of the inning. X-rays revealed the fracture on Thursday.
Geraldo Perdomo is expected to take over at shorstop for Peña for D.R., while infielder Amed Rosario could also fill in. The Dominican Republic begins the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Pool D play versus Nicaragua at 7 p.m. ET Friday at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 4:50 AM PST
The Houston Astros’ Shay Whitcomb hit two home runs as Korea dismissed Czechia 11-4 in their first Pool C game of the World Baseball Classic.
Korea hit four home runs in the rout at the Tokyo Dome, including a first-inning grand slam from Bo Gyeong Moon. Whitcomb is one of three Korean-American players on the roster.
Czechia will be back on the field to face Australia at 10 p.m. ET Thursday.
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 2:00 AM PST
Yahoo Sports Staff
Pool play for the 2026 World Baseball Classic kicked off with a showdown between Chinese Taipei and Australia late Wednesday night for those in the U.S.
The action continues early Thursday morning, starting with Czechia vs. Korea at 5 a.m. ET, with Daniel Padysak and Hyeong Jun So taking the mound, respectively.
Czechia failed to qualify for the WBC in its first two bids (2013, 2017) before becoming a tournament darling in 2023. Korea, meanwhile, will look to get back to the championship game after being the runner-up in 2009 but failing to advance past the first round since then.
Later in the day is Australia vs. Czechia at 10 p.m. ET, set at the Tokyo Dome.
Both of Thursday’s games will air live on FS1.
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:28 PM PST
Jack Baer