Mark your calendars: the pools for the 2026 World Baseball Classic are set.
Defending champions Japan will begin their title defense on 6 March against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome in a rematch of last year’s Premier12 final, organisers announced on Wednesday (9 April).
The tournament will feature 20 teams, split into four groups held across three countries – Japan, the United States and Puerto Rico.
The first round runs from 5-11 March with the final set for the 17th at loanDeport park in Miami, where in 2023 Shohei Ohtani struck out then Los Angeles Angels team-mate Mike Trout to deliver Japan their third championship.
Joining Japan and Chinese Taipei in Pool C are Australia, Czechia and the Republic of Korea.
The 2023 runners-up United States are in Pool B in Houston including Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Brazil. The Americans open play on 6 March against Brazil.
Puerto Rico will host Pool A in San Juan, where they will face Cuba, Canada, Panama and Colombia.
Pool D in Miami consists of Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel and Nicaragua.
The top two in each pool advance to the quarter-finals, which will be played in Miami and Houston. Miami will also host the semi-finals.
