global spotlight will shine brightly on baseball this March as the 2026 edition of the World Baseball Classic officially gets underway. With Major League talent and international stars converging on one stage, the tournament promises elite competition, national pride, and compelling matchups from the very first pitch.
When does the 2026 World Baseball Classic begin?
The first game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic will be broadcast on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. From that moment forward, fans across North America and around the globe will be treated to a packed slate of international baseball.
The event provides a rare opportunity for fans to watch MLB-caliber players represent their home nations. Stars from teams such as the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers will all participate, adding major-league intensity to the global stage.
2026 World Baseball Classic pools
The tournament is divided into four pools:
Pool A
Cuba
Canada
Puerto Rico
Panama
Columbia
Pool B
Mexico
Italy
United States
Brazil
Great Britain
Pool C
Chinese Taipei
Japan
Korea
Australia
Czechia
Pool D
Venezuela
Netherlands
Israel
Dominican Republic
Nicaragua
Each pool sets the stage for fierce round-robin competition before teams advance deeper into the bracket.
Full schedule (all times mountain time)
Wednesday, March 4
Chinese Taipei vs Australia – 8:00 PM
Thursday, March 5
Czechia vs Korea – 3:00 AM
Australia vs Czechia – 8:00 PM
Friday, March 6
Japan vs Chinese Taipei – 3:00 AM
Cuba vs Panama – 9:00 AM
Netherlands vs Venezuela – 10:00 AM
Mexico vs Great Britain – 11:00 AM
Puerto Rico vs Columbia – 4:00 PM
Nicaragua vs Dominican Republic – 5:00 PM
United States vs Brazil – 6:00 PM
Chinese Taipei vs Czechia – 8:00 PM
Saturday, March 7
Korea vs Japan – 3:00 AM
Columbia vs Canada – 9:00 AM
Nicaragua vs Netherlands – 10:00 AM
Brazil vs Italy – 11:00 AM
Panama vs Puerto Rico – 4:00 PM
Israel vs Venezuela – 5:00 PM
Great Britain vs United States – 6:00 PM
Chinese Taipei vs Korea – 8:00 PM
Sunday, March 8
Australia vs Japan – 4:00 AM
Columbia vs Cuba – 10:00 AM
Netherlands vs Dominican Republic – 10:00 AM
Great Britain vs Italy – 11:00 AM
Panama vs Canada – 5:00 PM
Nicaragua vs Israel – 5:00 PM
Brazil vs Mexico – 6:00 PM
Monday, March 9
Korea vs Australia – 4:00 AM
Columbia vs Panama – 10:00 AM
Dominican Republic vs Israel – 10:00 AM
Brazil vs Great Britain – 11:00 AM
Venezuela vs Nicaragua – 5:00 PM
Cuba vs Puerto Rico – 5:00 PM
Mexico vs United States – 6:00 PM
Tuesday, March 10
Czechia vs Japan – 4:00 AM
Israel vs Netherlands – 5:00 PM
Canada vs Puerto Rico – 5:00 PM
Italy vs United States – 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 11
Canada vs Cuba – 1:00 PM
Italy vs Mexico – 5:00 PM
Dominican Republic vs Venezuela – 6:00 PM
Where to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Fans can catch the majority of games on FS1, FS2, and Fox. Select matchups will also stream on TUBI, a free streaming service. Additionally, a handful of games will be available on the Fox Sports App, ensuring widespread accessibility across platforms.
With powerhouse nations, rising contenders, and MLB superstars representing their countries, the 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to deliver high-stakes baseball from start to finish.