The 2026 World Baseball Classic is about to begin and its protagonists have already been defined. The national teams have announced their official rosters and the tournament promises to once again become the most spectacular event in international baseball.
From March 5, 20 countries will be looking to lift the trophy in a tournament that has a clear favorite: the United States.
Team USA roster
The United States team is one of the favorites after putting together a star-studded roster. After losing the final to Japan in the previous edition, the U.S. team is looking to regain the world title.
The lineup includes impactful names such as Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Paul Goldschmidt and young phenomenon Bobby Witt Jr.
On the pitching side, there are dominant arms such as Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal and Logan Webb, making up a rotation designed to compete from the first game and leave MLB at the top.
United States rosterCatchers:
- Cal Raleigh
- Will Smith
Infielders
- Bryce Harper
- Alex Bregman
- Ernie Clement
- Paul Goldschmidt
- Gunnar Henderson
- Brice Turang
- Bobby Witt Jr.
Outfielders / DH
- Aaron Judge (Captain)
- Byron Buxton
- Pete Crow-Armstrong
- Corbin Carroll
- Kyle Schwarber (DH)
Pitchers
- David Bednar
- Matt Boyd
- Garrett Cleavinger
- Clay Holmes
- Griffin Jax
- Brad Keller
- Clayton Kershaw
- Nolan McLean
- Mason Miller
- Joe Ryan
- Paul Skenes
- Tarik Skubal
- Gabe Speier
- Michael Wacha
- Logan Webb
- Garrett Whitlock
Japan, the champion looking to repeat in the World Baseball Classic
Another of the title contenders is undoubtedly the Japanese team, which will be looking to repeat the feat of the last edition. The Asian team returns with several of its top players led by Shohei Ohtani, who is considered one of the most complete players in the modern history of the sport.
Alongside him are talents such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Seiya Suzuki and Masataka Yoshida, consolidating a roster balanced between explosive offense and tactical discipline.
Japan roster:Catchers:
- Yuhei Nakamura
- Seishiro Sakamoto
- Kenya Wakatsuki
Infielders
- Munetaka Murakami
- Shugo Maki
- Kazuma Okamoto
- Teruaki Sato
- Sosuke Genda
- Kaito Kozono
Outfielders/DH
- Shohei Ohtani (DH)
- Kensuke Kondo
- Masataka Yoshida
- Seiya Suzuki
- Shota Morishita
- Ukyo Shuto
Pitchers:
- Yusei Kikuchi
- Yuki Matsui
- Hiroya Miyagi
- Ryuhei Sotani
- Daiichi Ishii
- Hiromi Itoh
- Koki Kitayama
- Yuki Matsumoto
- Taisei Ota
- Tomoyuki Sugano
- Kaima Taira
- Hiroto Takahashi
- Atsuki Taneichi
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Mexico bets on continuity and MLB talent
The Mexican National Baseball Team arrives at the event with important absences, but still maintains a competitive roster with a mix of experience, speed and offensive power.
Players such as Randy Arozarena, Alejandro Kirk, Jarren Duran and Joey Meneses lead a generation that has already proven it can compete against the traditional powerhouses.
The pitching also looks solid with names such as Andres Munoz and Jose Urquidy, key pieces to aspire to the final rounds.
Mexico rosterCatchers:
- Alejandro Kirk
- Alexis Wilson
Infielders
- Joey Meneses
- Rowdy Tellez
- Jonathan Aranda
- Nick Gonzales
- Jared Serna
- Joey Ortiz
- Ramon Urias
- Luis Urias
Outfielders
- Randy Arozarena
- Jarren Duran
- Alek Thomas
- Julian Ornelas
- Alejandro Osuna
Pitchers
- Alexander Armenta
- Brennan Bernardino
- Robert Garcia
- Samy Natera Jr.
- Javier Assad
- Taj Bradley
- Alex Carrillo
- Jesus Cruz
- Daniel Duarte
- Luis Gastelum
- Andres Munoz
- Gerardo Reyes
- Jose Urquidy
- Victor Vodnik
- Taijuan Walker
Dominican Republic, Venezuela and the rest of the world raise the level
The Dominican Republic is not far behind and presents an intimidating lineup with figures such as Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Fernando Tatis Jr.Venezuela is also not far behind with stars such as Ronald Acuña Jr., while Puerto Rico will have the dominant closer Edwin Diaz.
Emerging teams such as Australia, Colombia, Panama, Korea, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada and Nicaragua are also participating, confirming the global growth of baseball.
When and where to watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic in the United States
This highly anticipated event will begin on March 5 and end on March 17. The broadcast will be handled by Fubo, as well as on FOX Deportes, FOX, FS1 and FS2.
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