Here's How to Watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Are you ready for some baseball?
MLB Opening Day is not until March 25, but the drama is set to start three weeks before then thanks to the return of the World Baseball Classic.
The full schedule of the event that pits the best players from around the world against each other in a thrilling competition every three years (or so) was released Thursday, but we broke out the games you most want to see.
Let the games begin
The 2026 WBC pool play will begin March 4 in Japan with games in Puerto Rico, Houston and Miami on March 6.
Team USA is in Pool B and will compete at Daikin Park in Houston.
The Americans begin play March 6 at 8 p.m. against Brazil in a game that will be aired on Fox.
Here is the full Team USA pool play schedule:
- Team USA vs. Brazil, 8 p.m. (Eastern) March 6
- Team USA vs. Great Britain, 8 p.m. (Eastern) March 7
- Team USA vs. Mexico, 8 p.m. (Eastern) March 9
- Team USA vs. Italy, 9 p.m. (Eastern) March 10
The top two teams in each pool will qualify for the quarterfinals, which will be held March 13 and 14 in Miami and Houston.
The semifinals will be March 15 and 16 in Miami with the championship game set for March 17 in Miami.
How to watch the World Baseball Classic
According to MLB, you will be able to watch every game of the 2026 WBC on Fox or one of its networks — Fox broadcast, FS1, FS2 and Fox Deportes.
Games will also stream on the Fox Sports App and Tubi as well as the Fox One app.
Many of the games (41 of 47) will also air in Spanish on Fox Deportes, the Fox Sports App, Fox One and Tubi.
Want to see the games in person? Single-game tickets for all venues are available for purchase at WorldBaseballClassic.com/tickets.
Who is playing in the WBC?
Reigning American League MVP Aaron Judge and slugging Seattle Mariners cacher Cal Raleigh headline the United States team, which also includes Bryce Harper, Alex Bregman, Kyle Schwarber and Bobby Witt Jr.
Young studs Tarik Scubal and Paul Skenes are part of the USA pitching staff along with Clayton Kershaw, who will participate despite retiring from MLB at the end of last season.
Ohtani is back with Japan while the Dominican Republic squad (managed by Albert Pujols) features Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, Manny Machado, Carlos Santana, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Sandy Alcantara and Carlos Estevez.
Mark DeRosa is set to manage Team USA.
MORE IN SPORTS: The full NFL Draft order is set
World Baseball Classic history
Japan is the defending WBC champion, having claimed the title in 2023.
The Japanese also won the inaugural WBC in 2006 and the ’09 version before the Dominican Republic won in 2013.
The United States won its lone title in 2017 then lost in the 2013 final when Shohei Ohtani struck out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout to end a 3-2 victory for Team Japan.
“I really appreciate that I was able to have the great experience,” Ohtani said then. “As I say, the next generation, the kids who are playing baseball, I was hoping that those people would like to play baseball. That would make me happy."