World Baseball Classic Preview: Team Breakdowns, Top Players, Predictions

Rowdy fans, superstars, late-inning drama and a competitive vibe that feels more like October than March.  The 2026 World Baseball Classic will have it all. 

Played across two continents and composed of 20 nations, the WBC begins on March 3 and culminates with the Championship Game on March 17 in Miami. Will we see Team USA led by Aaron Judge get revenge on Shohei Ohtani and Japan after that 2023 championship classic? Or, can a talented squad like Mexico, Dominican Republic or Venezuela make a deep run? 

Let's start by getting familiar with the stacked rosters in Pool A and break down each side. And check back each day this week as we dive into the other pools.

Pool A:Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico
Pool B: Tuesday (Brazil, Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, USA)
Pool C: Wednesday (Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Japan, Korea)
Pool D: Thursday (Dominican Republic, Israel, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Venezuela)

This pool is set to take over Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 6–11. The hosts are the favorites to top the group, bringing its championship pedigree into a loaded five-team clash that will feature perennial contender Cuba, rising force Canada, gritty Panama and underdog Colombia. Passion, pride and powerhouse talent are sure to collide and make for an electric atmosphere.

 (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

Why This Team Can Make Noise: Turning down big-league talent? Too much depth? These are good problems to have for Team Canada manager Ernie Whitt, who has led the country in every WBC tournament from its inception in 2006. He’s seen Canada struggle to roster major-leaguers (and defeat Team USA, anyway, in the group stage in ‘06). This year, he’s received an all-time high interest