8 World Baseball Classic Matchups We Can't Wait To See

The United States is bringing its most talented roster ever to the 2026 World Baseball Classic with the hope of avenging its loss to three-time champions Japan in the 2023 championship game.

But first, the two powerhouses will go through a gauntlet in the pool stage with the competition being as fierce and widespread as it has ever been.

Here are 10 games that will be appointment viewing in the poool stage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic:

United States vs. Brazil (March 6, 5 p.m. on FOX)

The U.S. will open its tournament against Brazil, which is making its first appearance at the tournament since 2013. Brazil went 3-1 in qualifying and secured the final spot in the tournament with a 6-4 win against Germany. Veteran infielder Leonardo Reginatto poses the biggest threat to the U.S., with the 34-year-old going 5-for-13 in qualifiers with three doubles and four RBIs.

Great Britain vs. United States (March 7, 5 p.m. on FOX)

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is representing Great Britain at the World Baseball classic, and the New York Yankees star is no stranger to the stars of the United States. In fact, he will go up against two of his Yankees teammates, Aaron Judge and David Bednar, and two of his New York Mets rivals, Nolan McLean and Clayton Holmes.

Japan vs. South Korea (March 7, 2 a.m. on FS1)

A historic rivalry will have its latest chapter at the Tokyo Dome in the pool stage. Japan crushed South Korea 13-4 in their last meeting at the tournament in 2023, with two-way superstar and 2023 World Baseball Classic MVP Shohei Ohtani leading the way for Japan. But South Korea now has its own phenom in 22-year-old Do-yeong Kim, who was named KBO MVP in 2024 after finishing the season with 38 home runs and 40 stolen bases.

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