World Baseball Network’s writers were asked to pick the two teams that would advance out of each pool, as well as which team would finish last in each pool, forcing them to play in the next World Baseball Classic Qualifier.
Here are the writers’ picks for Pool C, which will feature Puerto Rico, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, and Panama at Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Picks To Win Pool A
Canada – Although they are without Freddie Freeman, Canada still has some very talented players on their squad. Josh Naylor, Jameson Taillon, Bo Naylor, Abraham Toro and Tyler O’Neill may be the names fans most recognize, but Canada is equipped with talented, young players who are on the brink of making a name for themselves in the big leagues. Tyler Black, who had a great spring training, and Owen Caissie could surprise many fans, and Matt Davidson, who has hit 82 home runs in the last two KBO seasons, is certainly a name to watch. Canada’s defense will be very sound, and its offense will cause problems on the basepaths. – Aaliyan Mohammed
I had a difficult time selecting a winner for Pool A, but Canada is my pick. The depth and experience of the rotation, which includes Jameson Taillon, Cal Quantrill, Michael Soroka, is solid, and there’s decent pop in the lineup with Josh Naylor, Matt Davidson, and Tyler O’Neil. Puerto Rico’s lineup feels incomplete without the uninsured Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa. – Conor Liguori
Ernie Whitt’s club will get out of pool play in the one-time temporary home of the Montreal Expos. Between the Naylor brothers and Matt Davidson, there’s plenty of power in the lineup, and a better-than-average group of starters with MLB experience makes Canada the team to beat, eh? – Leif Skodnick
Canada has the potential to be the premier dark horse of the tournament with their blend of MLB experience and young prospects. The Naylor brothers headline a potent lineup that includes an excellent outfield trio in Tyler O’Neil, Denzel Clarke, and Owen Cassie, on top of other standouts like Edouard Julien and Abraham Toro. Top KBO slugger Matt Davidson could be an X-factor. Their pitching depth is a bit thin, but is still better than a majority of their competitors. – Yuri Karasawa
Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico will win Pool A in large part because of their home-field advantage. Their pitching will be strong with Seth Lugo, Elmer Rodriguez, Edwin Diaz, and Fernando Cruz. Despite their big offensive losses, Heliot Ramos, Willie Castro, and Nolan Arenado will do enough to carry the load offensively. – Julian Guilarte
Plenty of MLB talent will push Puerto Rico to the top of Pool A and on to the quarterfinals. – Matt Tallarini
Picks to Finish Second in Pool A
Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico may not have Francisco Lindor or Carlos Correa, but they still have a very strong side for this year’s tournament. They are equipped with one of the best closers in baseball and have a rotation headlined by Seth Lugo, the 2024 American League Cy Young Award runner-up. Their pitching, paired with Nolan Arenado, Willi Castro and Heliot Ramos leading the offense, may be too much for most teams, but Canada might have a slight edge. – Aaliyan Mohammed
Canada – Canada will come in second place because they have the best offense in the group. Josh and Bo Naylor will be a big boost offensively, and Tyler O’Neill, Owen Cassie, and Denzel Clarke make up a very solid outfield. – Julian Guilarte
Colombia – Colombia isn’t a baseball nation on the level of neighboring Venezuela, but they have enough talent that they should advance out of the pool. Look for Jorge Alfaro and Harold Ramirez to power the offense. – Matt Tallarini
Panama – Panama has so little power, but several players who could wreak havoc on the bases. Shortstop Jose Caballero led MLB with 49 stolen bases, and Enrique Bradfield Jr. was caught stealing just four times in 40 attempts at four minor league stops last season. Having Guardians left-hander Logan Allen start a game or two should boost their quarterfinals odds, too. – Conor Liguori
Cuba – With its MLB superstars absent, many will be quick to write off Cuba, but their squad is filled with current and former NPB talent. Livan Moinelo and Raidel Martinez are arguably the best starter and reliever in NPB, respectively, and can carry the Cubans to at least one win. Puerto Rico remain the heavy favorites to get out of the pool on home soil, but the roster is considerably weaker following the loss of Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javier Baez. – Yuri Karasawa
Headed to the Next World Baseball Classic Qualifier
Cuba – Simply put, even if Cuba outperforms expectations, they do not have the talent to stack up with Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States. Their pitching staff has some intriguing names, but ultimately, they lack the star power to compete with the others in this pool. – Aaliyan Mohammed
Year after year, baseball talent has left Cuba to seek freedom and the financial security that comes with playing professional baseball elsewhere. While Cuba reached the semifinals in 2023, the cupboard is now so bare that it’s hard to see them finishing ahead of any of the other four teams in Pool A. They will qualify for the next World Baseball Classic, but until Cuba builds a roster on talent rather than political loyalty, it’ll be tough to compete. – Leif Skodnick
Cuba’s potential remains limited by which Major League players are able, willing, or allowed to participate. – Matt Tallarini
Panama – Panama will likely finish last due to a lack of offense. Ivan Herrera is a tremendous loss for them, and Jose Caballero might be their best offensive player. Logan Allen as the ace is shaky, and they don’t have any big power bats. – Julian Guilarte
Pool A is the most balanced group in the WBC, and even Panama has a legitimate shot at reaching the knockout stage. However, their roster features fewer established stars than the rest of the pool, which makes them the most likely candidate to finish at the bottom. – Yuri Karasawa
Colombia – I’m not too high on Colombia’s pitching staff. Jose Quintana should be their No. 1 starter, and opposing batters slugged .458 against his most used pitch in 2025, a sinker. It could be difficult to rely on aging veterans like Donovan Solano and Gio Urshela on offense. – Conor Liguori
2026 World Baseball Classic Pool A Schedule
All times local
March 6
Noon AST – Cuba vs. Panama – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS2
7 p.m. AST – Puerto Rico vs. Colombia – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS1
March 7
Noon AST – Colombia vs. Canada – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS2
7 p.m. AST – Panama vs. Puerto Rico – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS1
March 8
Noon AST – Colombia vs. Cuba – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS2
7 p.m. AST – Panama vs. Canada – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS2
March 9
Noon AST – Colombia vs. Panama – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS2
7 p.m. AST – Cuba vs. Puerto Rico – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: FS1
March 10
7 p.m. AST – Canada vs. Puerto Rico – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – TV: Tubi
March 11
3 p.m. AST – Canada vs. Cuba – Hiram Bithorn Stadium – – TV: FS2
Photo: Canada manager Ernie Whitt, right, takes the ball from pitcher Logan Allen as he is taken out against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning of an exhibition baseball game Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Dunedin, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
