Start getting ready for the next must-see-it plays, because the 2026 World Baseball Classic tournament is on the way. And today, we have the pools and dates to add to your calendars.
This will be the second World Baseball Classic with a 20-team field, so, just like in 2023, we’ll have four pools of five teams. The top two teams in each pool will advance to the quarterfinals in Houston and Miami on March 13 and 14. If Team USA advances to the quarterfinals, their game would take place on Friday, March 13 regardless of whether they are winners or runners-up in pool play. The same is true for Samurai Japan, whose game will be on March 14 regardless of whether they win their pool or finish second.
The semifinals and finals will then be held in Miami beginning on March 15.