World Baseball Network’s writers were asked to pick four teams that would advance to the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, as well as the 2026 WBC champion.
Here are the writers’ picks for the semifinals, and their picks for the eventual champion, as well as the thinking behind those picks.
Who Will Make the Semifinals?
The United States, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Japan – Conor Liguori
The United States, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Venezuela – Julian Guilarte
The United States, the Dominican Republic, Canada, Venezuela – Aaliyan Mohammed
The United States, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Japan – Leif Skodnick
The United States, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico – Matt Tallarini
Who Will Win the 2026 World Baseball Classic?
The United States – Many are expecting the United States and Japan to meet once again in the finals. However, Venezuela’s offense is elite, and will carry them through to the finals. However, just as they were unable to contain the Dominican Republic’s offense in pool play, they will be unable to contain Aaron Judge and company in the finals. – Aaliyan Mohammed
Team USA will win the title against Venezuela behind the best offense in the WBC. The American pitching staff from top to bottom stands out. Venezuela can hang with Team USA offensively, but the pitching will tilt the tables towards Team USA. – Julian Guilarte
I think the U.S. gets revenge against Japan behind a historic performance in the tournament and in the WBC final from outfielder Byron Buxton. This is by far their best pitching staff in WBC history, and they can turn to starters like Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes in mid-relief if they don’t open the game on the mound. Manager Mark DeRosa and the coaching staff likely now have a more detailed scouting report against Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who could start the championship game for Japan. – Conor Liguori
Japan has what it takes to capture their fourth WBC crown, but the absence of pitchers like Shunpeita Yamashita, Roki Sasaki, Kodai Senga, Tatsuya Imai, and even Shohei Ohtani, who will be serving solely as a DH, will make it very difficult to fully shut down the American or Dominican offense. Team USA essentially has its dream team and looks destined to become champions with Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., and Paul Skenes likely competing for tournament MVP. – Yuri Karasawa
The United States has finally sent what looks to be the best possible team they could assemble. After a memorable but disappointing ending to the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Team USA will win the title this year. – Matt Tallarini
The Dominican Republic – The United States may have put together the baseball equivalent of the basketball Dream Team from the 1992 Summer Olympics, but the Dominican Republic’s roster is just as good. The Dominicans have the advantage of playing the whole tournament in Miami before what will feel like a hometown crowd, and have an extraordinary amount of star power on a roster to represent a country that views the World Baseball Classic as the major competition that it is. – Leif Skodnick
2026 World Baseball Classic Elimination Game Schedule
All times Eastern Standard Time
Quarterfinals
March 13 – 6:30 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park – TV: FS2
March 13 – 8 p.m. EST – Daikin Park – TV: FOX
March 14 – 3 p.m. EST – Daikin Park – TV: FS1
March 14 – 9 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park – TV: FOX
Semifinals
March 15 – 8 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park – TV: FS1
March 16 – 8 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park – TV: FS1
Championship Game
March 17 – 8 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park – TV: FOX
Photo: United States’ Mike Trout (27) swings a strike during a World Baseball Classic championship game against Japan, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
