.The World Baseball Classic is actually readied to give back for a sixth edition in 2026. The event, which features international groups comprised of a number of the planet's absolute best baseball ability, are going to begin with four Pool Teams contending from March 5-11. Japan will certainly complete once again as the ruling WBC champs after defeating the USA, 3-2, in the championship game in 2023 along with the help Los Angeles Dodgers celebrity Shohei Ohtani.The first 16 teams set to compete in the 2026 WBC are: Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama (Swimming Pool A) United States, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain (Swimming Pool B) Japan, Australia, Korea, Czechia (Swimming Pool C) Venezuela, Dominican State, Netherlands, Israel (Swimming Pool D). Four more training crews will definitely be actually included in advance of the competition to round out the last twenty, and the first round of play will certainly happen according to the following schedule: MARCH 5-10Pool C at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, JapanMARCH 6-11Pool A at Hiram Bithorn Arena in San Juan, Puerto RicoPool B at Minute Housemaid Park in Houston, TexasPool D at LoanDepot Playground in Miami, FloridaMiami is going to additionally throw the semifinals and also championship game.Japan is actually the only country to have succeeded the WBC greater than once, take away the championship components in 2009 and 2006 besides 2023. Other previous victors consist of the U.S. (2017) and also the Dominican Commonwealth (2013 ). [Want excellent stories supplied straight to your inbox? Develop or even log in to your FOX Athletics account, follow games, groups as well as players to acquire an individualized newsletter daily.] FOLLOW Follow your preferences to tailor your FOX Athletics encounter Globe Baseball Standard Receive even more from World Baseball Classic Observe your faves to receive information concerning games, information as well as even more.