From Daisuke Matsuzaka’s two Most Valuable Player Awards, to Nelson Cruz’s epic home run, to Adam Jones’ stolen home run, to the epic duel between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, the World Baseball Classic has become Witness memorable games and situations.
But get ready for what the next version will bring, as the groups and dates for the 2026 World Baseball Classic have been revealed.
This is the second edition of the tournament where 20 teams will participate. As in 2023, there will be four groups of five teams each. The top two from each advance to the quarterfinals in Houston and Miami on March 13-14.
If the United States advances to this stage, their match will be on Friday, March 13, regardless of whether they placed first or second in their group. The same is true of the reigning champion of Japan, who will play on March 14 regardless of their position in the group, as long as they finish in the first two places of their group.
The semifinals and final will be played in Miami, starting on March 15.
Of course, it remains to be seen who will be the final four teams that will make up the tournament, positions that will be determined in the upcoming qualifiers.
Here, see the groups:
GROUP A: San Juan, Puerto Rico – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
Date: March 6-11, 2026
How did it happen in 2023?: Eliminated in the quarterfinals in Mexico
What are you doing in 2023?: Tied for third place; they lost in the semi-final against the United States
How will it be in 2023?: Third in Group C
How will it be in 2023?: Fourth in Group A
GROUP B: Houston – Minute Maid Park
Date: March 6-11, 2026
How is it in 2023?: Runner-up; they lost in the final against Japan
How did it fare in 2023?: Tied for third place with Cuba; they lost to Japan in the semi-final
How did you do in 2023?: Tied for fifth place; They lost in the quarterfinals to Japan
How is 2023?: Fourth place in Group C
GROUP C: Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Dome
Dates: March 5-10, 2026
How is it in 2023?: Champion
How did it go in 2023?: They lost in the quarterfinals against Cuba
How is it in 2023?: Third place in Group B
How is it in 2023?: Fourth place in Group B
GROUP D: Miami – loanDepot park
How did it happen in 2023?: They lost in the quarterfinals to the United States
How is it in 2023?: Third place in Group D
How did it happen in 2023?: Third place in Group A
How is 2023?: Fourth place in Group D