Baseball’s premiere international competition has arrived.
Plenty of MLB and worldwide stars will be competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic over the coming weeks, an opportunity for ballplayers to lead their teams to glory every three years. Japan, as the reigning WBC champion, will be attempting to defend its title, while other star-studded contenders like the United States and Dominican Republic will be looking to finish with the trophy.
Along the way, there should be a ton of high-intensity action between the 20 WBC squads. Most of the best games often come in the knockout round, when the best teams face off in a single-elimination bracket, but there are also some intriguing matchups scheduled for pool play.
While it remains to be seen which squads will advance to the second portion of the tournament in Miami and Houston, there are some can’t-miss games in the early days of the WBC.
Here’s a guide to the best pool-play matchups scheduled at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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Best games to watch on 2026 World Baseball Classic schedule There are four pools of five teams at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with teams facing each team in their respective pool. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the single-elimination bracket.
Here’s a look at the best scheduled pool matchups.
Pool A Cuba vs. Puerto Rico, March 9
As the hosts for Pool A games, Puerto Rico will have a close eye on it as the favorite to emerge from the group to the elimination bracket. Historically, Puerto Rico and Cuba have both been baseball powerhouses — but they haven’t been able to face off at the WBC since 2006.
Cuba doesn’t have a ton of MLB talent this year, led by Yoan Moncada, but 44-year-old Alexei Ramirez taking the field again will also be a sight to see.Â
Canada vs. Puerto Rico, March 10
With plenty of MLB-level talent, including Edwin Diaz, Christian Vázquez, MartÃn Maldonado, Eddie Rosario and former USA contributor Nolan Arenado, Puerto Rico is the most entertaining bunch of Pool A, being coached by another notable name in Cardinals legend Yadier Molina.
If there’s a sneaky pick for Pool A, however, keep an eye on Canada. While Freddie Freeman and Joey Votto aren’t around, the Canadians do have the power of Josh and Bo Naylor, plus some solid arms in Jameson Taillon, James Paxton and Cal Quantrill. If Canada is going to make it past the group stage for the first time ever, it could come from beating Puerto Rico.
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Pool B Mexico vs. United States, March 9
Surprisingly, Mexico has owned this matchup. In the 2013 WBC, the United States lost to Mexico 5-2 despite having a roster that included Jimmy Rollins, Brandon Phillips, Ryan Braun, Joe Mauer and David Wright. Then, 10 years later, nine hits between Randy Arozarena, Joey Menenes and Rowdy Tellez allowed Mexico to beat the U.S., 11-5, in pool play of the 2023 tournament.
Now, Mexico will look for yet another major upset against another star-studded U.S. squad. Add in the fact that Mexico had a lead against Japan in the ninth inning of the 2023 WBC, then losing in the semifinals, and the group of Jarren Duran, Arozarena, Alejandro Kirk and more should be plenty motivated to beat Team USA.
Italy vs. United States, March 10
Italy is attempting to build off its 2023 WBC, when it reached the second round for the second time in its history. And now, the Italians have an All-Star level pitcher, Aaron Nola, who could potentially help them quiet even the best bats in the tournament — including some of his Phillies teammates, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, on Team USA.
Whether Nola gets the ball against the United States remains to be seen, but even with a powerful lineup led by Vinnie Pasquantino, Italy is another squad with some upset potential against the favorite U.S. in Pool B.
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Pool C Japan vs. Australia, March 8
The defending WBC champions don’t quite have as much of a loaded roster as they did in 2023, but Japan remains one of the best teams in the tournament. Any time Shohei Ohtani is playing — although he won’t be pitching in the 2026 WBC — it’s worth tuning in.
Australia doesn’t have too many big names, but 2024 No. 1 draft pick Travis Bazzana will be making his WBC debut. After reaching the quarterfinals in 2023, the Australians could set themselves up nicely by upsetting Japan here.
Czechia vs. Japan, March 10
This is an interesting matchup partially for on-the-field reasons — including the Shohei Ohtani effect and Czechia’s status as a big underdog, with very limited professional baseball experience — but primarily, it’s the relationship between the two national programs that adds some intrigue.
After the 2023 WBC, Czechia baseball grew a ton, and it led to some partnerships with Japan to establish long-term cooperation between the two nations. Last time they played, Ohtani shared how he respected Czechia’s team, and Roki Sasaki gave candy to Willie Escala after hitting him with a pitch.
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 13, 2023 — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 11, 2023 Pool D Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic, March 8
The Netherlands will bring some interesting MLB talent to the WBC, with the chance to supplant the D.R. or Venezuela within Pool D. Ozzie Albies, Didi Gregorius, Jurickson Profar and Xander Boegarts make for a strong offense.
Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic, March 11
There’s a case to be made that outside of the United States’ lineup, the two best offenses in the 2026 World Baseball Classic are from Venezuela and Dominican Republic. These two teams will be favored to both advance to the knockout stage, but only one can win in the head-to-head matchup.
For Venezuela, it could turn to Eduardo Rodriguez or Ranger Suarez on the mound, while the Dominican Republic has options in Sandy Alcantara, Christopher Sanchez or Luis Severino. You will not want to miss a game featuring Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Ketel Marte, Juan Soto and Julio Rodriguez against Ronald Acuna Jr., Eugenio Suarez, William and Wilson Contreras, and Salvador Perez — this has “best game of pool play” potential.
