The final day of pool play at the World Baseball Classic is over, and the United States is moving on after all.
In the first game Wednesday, Canada defeated Cuba 7-2 to advance to the quarterfinals, eliminate Cuba and surpass Puerto Rico to win Pool A. Owen Caissie and Otto Lopez each drove in two runs in the Canadians’ victory, and on the mound, Cal Quantrill delivered five innings of one-run ball.
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After a stunning 8-6 loss to Italy on Tuesday, the United States needed Italy to beat Mexico on Wednesday — or have Mexico score no more than four runs in a nine-inning victory — to reach the quarterfinals. Italy easily handled business and rolled to a dominant 9-1 win behind three home runs from Vinnie Pasquantino. That ensured that the United States reached the knockout round and set up a quarterfinal matchup with Canada. Italy, the winner of Pool B, will get Puerto Rico.
In the final game Wednesday, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic battled for Pool D supremacy. Both were 3-0 and had already clinched their spots in the quarterfinals, but this contest was to decide the pool winner. The Dominican bats did what they do best — hit home runs — as long balls from Juan Soto, Ketel Marte, Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr. built a 7-3 lead by the fourth inning. Venezuela mounted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth, adding two quick runs with zero outs, but the Dominican Republic held on to secure the win. As a result, the D.R. will take on Korea in the next round, while Venezuela will go up against Pool C winner Japan.
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. 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 representing Team USA are Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge, just to name a few of the stars, with the U.S. entering the tournament as the favorite (-105) over Japan (+350) at BetMGM.
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The quarterfinals will be Friday and Saturday (March 13 and 14), and semifinals will be on Sunday and Monday (March 15 and 16). It all culminates with the WBC final on Tuesday, March 17, 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.
Live261 updates
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:15 PM PDT
Salvador Perez grounds into a double play, fielded perfectly by Manny Machado, and that does it in this ballgame.
The Dominican Republic holds on to win Pool D, finishing 4-0. Venezuela mounted a ninth-inning comeback but ultimately falls to 3-1 in pool play and advances to the quarterfinals as the runner-up.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:11 PM PDT
Willson Contreras hit what could’ve been a game-ending double-play ball, but Alvarado throws it away, and another run scores.
It’s 7-5 D.R. with two outs to go. These are the first runs allowed by the Dominican bullpen in this tournament.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:09 PM PDT
A sac fly from Luis Arraez scores one run, but more importantly, the D.R. finally got the first out of the inning.
It’s 7-4 D.R. with two more outs to go.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:06 PM PDT
Maikel Garcia draws a four-pitch walk, and that’s three straight walks to load the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth.
Elvis Alvarado is replacing Abner Uribe on the mound, and the Venezuelans have Luis Arraez coming to the plate as the tying run.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 8:01 PM PDT
Ronald Acuña Jr. draws a walk, and this is officially more tense than the D.R. would like.
Still nobody out.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 7:58 PM PDT
And Venezuela has a baserunner with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 7:53 PM PDT
Vlad Jr. also got on base in the top of the frame, but ultimately the D.R. didn’t score.
It’s still 7-3 headed to the bottom of the ninth in Miami.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 7:46 PM PDT
After all the early fireworks, both offenses have been kept scoreless and relatively quiet for the past four innings in Miami.
Fernando Tatis Jr. singled to lead off the top of the ninth. The D.R. is still leading 7-3.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 7:18 PM PDT
Team Italy has just done something that Team USA has never done: Finish pool play undefeated.
Italy seals its 4-0 record with a dominant victory over Mexico in Houston. With that result, Italy wins Pool B, Team USA is the runner-up, and Mexico is eliminated.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 6:57 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Mexico loaded up the bases there in the bottom of the eighth, but Ornelas flied out to right to end the inning.
Italy will head to the 9th with a 9-1 lead.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 6:32 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Well, Mexico’s run doesn’t matter. Pasquantino just hit his third home run of the night to lift Italy to an 8-1 lead now in the eighth. This one is over.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 6:27 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Mexico is finally on the board, and looked like it was threatening more, but Duran struck out swinging just now with two on in the 7th after La Sorsa took the mound for the Italians.
Italy’s lead is 7-1 now heading into the 8th, and the Americans’ spot in the quarterfinals is still safe.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 6:22 PM PDT
Another home run, this time a three-run blast from Fernando Tatis Jr., increases the Dominicans’ lead to 7-3 in the top of the fourth.
Elite bat flip, too.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 6:17 PM PDT
Venezuela made it 4-3 with RBI doubles from Maikel Garcia and Luis Arraez in the bottom of the third.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 6:10 PM PDT
Ryan Young
Mexico bobbled the ball in the outfield, and that’s another run for Italy. It’s 7-0 now in the 7th after Jon Berti gets another hit. Italy is in full control with just a few innings to go.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM PDT
Ketel Marte hit a solo blast to make it 3-1 D.R.
Vlad Guerrero Jr. followed two batters later, and it’s 4-1 in the third.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 5:58 PM PDT
Jack Baer
Team USA will reach the knockout rounds, barring some very specific scenarios in extra innings. How specific are we talking about? Well, the most feasible path now is Mexico walking off Italy 7-6 with at least one out in the 12th inning. In that scenario, Mexico and Italy advance.
The U.S. can’t be eliminated if this game goes 11 or fewer innings, and more Italy runs make the possibility more remote. The Americans can probably start celebrating now,
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 5:37 PM PDT
Jack Baer
It’s 6-0 Italy after captain Vinnie Pasquantino slugs his second homer of the game.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 5:25 PM PDT
Jack Baer
Italy takes a 5-0 lead on a bases-loaded single from Jakob Marsee and that guarantees Team USA will make it to the knockout rounds, barring extra innings. Either Italy will win or Mexico will score at least six runs.
Wed, March 11, 2026 at 5:22 PM PDT
Jack Baer
Juan Soto mashed a home in the first inning to give his squad a 2-0 lead.