World Baseball Classic 2026 Day 6: Action begins in Tokyo as Japan take on Czechia
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is down to Day 6 of group play.
Action started in Tokyo with the final Group C game when World No. 1 Japan takes on No. 15 Czechia.
The game is a Dome's fan favourite, but it won't affect the Group's outcome. Japan will advance as first-place finisher with Korea in second place, and Czechia will have to qualify for the next edition.
Three more games are on the day's programme.
In Group D, No. 7 Puerto Rico will host No. 20 Canada at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan at midnight GMT. The game is more relevant for Canada (1-1), while Puerto Rico already secured a spot in the quarterfinals.
No. 9 Netherlands will play No. 21 Israel at loan Depot Park in Miami to open Group D's day. The result will determine the third and fourth-place finishers, but both teams have already secured a spot in the 2030 World Baseball Classic.
In Group B, No. 3 USA will host No. 14 Italy at 2:00 am GMT on Wednesday, March 11. With a win the USA would guarantee first place.
World Baseball Classic Day 6
| Czechia-Japan | PLAY BY PLAY | BOX SCORE |
| Israel-Netherlands | 23:00 GMT | BOX SCORE |
| Canada-Puerto Rico | 23:00 GMT | BOX SCORE |
| Italy-USA | 01:00 GMT (March 11) | BOX SCORE |
GROUP C GAMES
Czechia @ Japan
Right-hander Hiroto Takahashi took the mound for Japan, while Ondrej Sotoria started for Czechia.
Looking ahead to Day 7
Three games are scheduled for the seventh and final day of group play.
No. 20 Canada will face No. 10 Cuba at 19:00 GMT in San Juan for Group A's final game.
No. 14 Italy will play No. 6 Mexico at 23:00 GMT at Daikin Park in Houston to complete Group B's programme.
Group D will conclude at midnight GMT on Thursday, March 12, when No. 12 Dominican Republic takes on No. 5 Venezuela in Miami. The winner will head to the quarterfinals as the first-place finisher, the loser will qualify as the second-place team
The Standings
LA 2028 Qualification Process
The 2026 World Baseball Classic also forms part of the qualification pathway to LA28. The baseball tournament at the Olympic Games will feature six teams, and while USA is already qualified as host, the two highest-placed teams from the Americas at the World Baseball Classic will also earn quota places at the Olympic tournament.
Cover Photo: WBCI/MLB Photos by Getty Images