The Tournament Begins: Australia vs. Chinese Taipei

The World Baseball Classic will kick off on Wednesday, March 4 at 10 p.m. ET with a match between Australia and Chinese Taipei. This event promises two weeks of total madness, with the best baseball players on the planet — highly motivated by patriotism, pride and competitiveness — facing off in a high-stakes tournament.

Top Contenders for the Title

Three nations have previously claimed victory in the World Baseball Classic: Japan (three times), the United States and the Dominican Republic. Experts are already weighing in on who has the best chance to add their name to the list of champions.

United States: A Force to Be Reckoned With

According to one analyst, the United States is the team to beat. The United States was loaded with stars three years ago, as you would expect, but I think we’ve forgotten just how shaky their pitching staff was. This year, however, the team boasts a significantly improved pitching lineup, including Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, alongside a powerful batting order featuring Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr., Bryce Harper, and others.

Japan: A Modern Dynasty

Japan’s dominance in the World Baseball Classic is undeniable. The team may be a little weaker on paper than when they won it all in 2023, but until someone beats the three-time World Baseball Classic champions and current Olympic gold medalists, they are the team to beat. The team features Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Hiromi Itoh, along with new Major League players Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto.

Dominican Republic: A Lineup to Fear

The Dominican Republic is poised to make a strong run, led by stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Ketel Marte, Junior Caminero, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Julio Rodríguez. This is a lineup that can completely overwhelm you, and the Dominican Republic apparently has an easier path out of the group stage than in 2023.

Other Teams to Watch

• Venezuela: A strong team led by Ronald Acuña Jr., Jackson Chourio, and Salvador Pérez.
• Mexico: Randy Arozarena leads a team with rising MLB stars.
• Canada: Boasting a roster with significant Major League experience.
• Chinese Taipei: Captained by Chieh-Hsien Chen, they aim to build on their 2024 Premier12 victory.
• Korea: A team with a rich baseball history and a roster of quality players.
• Italy: Featuring Phillies starter Aaron Nola and Samuel Aldegheri.
• Colombia: Led by pitchers José Quintana and Julio Teherán.
• Great Britain: With Jazz Chisholm Jr. And a growing number of professional players.
• Cuba: Featuring veteran Alexei Ramírez.
• Czechia: A team gaining recognition and respect on the international stage.
• Brazil: Developing program with sons of Major League players.

FAQ

• When does the World Baseball Classic begin? March 4, 2026.
• Who are the previous World Baseball Classic winners? Japan (3 times), the United States, and the Dominican Republic.
• What is the first game of the tournament? Australia vs. Chinese Taipei.