Munetaka Murakami of Team Japan celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run double to defeat Team Mexico 6-5 in the World Baseball Classic Semifinals at loanDepot park on March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Japan remains No. 1 in the WBSC’s Baseball World Rankings. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The World Baseball Softball Confederation men’s Baseball World Rankings were Tuesday after the conclusion of the 20-nation team field of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Japan, who won the 2023 World Baseball Classic, received 1,150 points and remains No. 1 in the world rankings. The United States climbed to No. 2 in the world, receiving 953 points as the runner-up of the event, after starting the World Baseball Classic at ranked third.
Mexico gained two spots in the rankings, rising from fifth in the world to third, earning 905 points by appearing in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic. Cuba moved up one spot in the rankings from eighth to seventh after appearing in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic and earning 905 points.
Australia received 2,600 points and improved from No. 10 to No. 9 in the world, appearing in the single-elimination quarterfinals and losing to Cuba.
Italy, with 2,017 points over the past three years, improved in the rankings, moving up to 12th after starting at 16th following great result in the World Baseball Classic, appearing in the single-elimination quarterfinals where they lost to 2023 World Baseball Classic champion Japan.
Israel gained seven positions in the rankings, rising from 23rd to 18th in the world.
Canada went 2-2 in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, beating Great Britain and Colombia in Pool C, moving up one spot in the rankings to 13 and receiving 1,970 points.
Great Britain went 1-3 in their first appearance in the World Baseball Classic ,with their only win coming against Colombia, but it was enough for them to rise in the rankings from 22nd to 20th in the world.
China gained seven positions in the rankings, jumping from No. 30 to No. 23 in the world despite going winless during the World Baseball Classic. They will have to qualify for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Costa Rica gained 15 spots in the rankings, rising to No. 61 with 33 ranking points. Bangladesh moved up 13 spots to a tie for 61st, joining the Mariana Islands in a three-way tie.
Chinese Taipei dropped from No. 2 in the rankings to No. 4 after failing to advance out of the pool round, earning 242 points, and will have to qualify for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, as they lost all the tiebreakers to finish last in Pool A, despite a 2-2 record.
Korea went down from No. 4 to No. 5 in the rankings, after not advancing from the pool round and earning 4,409 points in the three-year ranking period..
The Netherlands dropped from seventh to eighth in the rankings after not advancing out of the pool round, earning 3,089 points.
The Dominican Republic dropped from No. 9 to No. 10 in the rankings after failing to advance out of the pool round, earning 2,415 points during the past three years.
Venezuela remains at No. 6 in the rankings earning 3,534 points after losing to the United States in the single elimination quarterfinals.
Nicaragua will have to qualify for the next World Baseball Classic in 2026 after going winless in pool play. They remain 17th in the world, as they were the previous rankings.
Panama dropped two spots in the rankings from 12th to 14th with 1,936 points after going 2-2 in pool play during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
The Czech Republic dropped one spot from the rankings to 16th, earning 1,745 points and going 1-3 in pool play during their first appearance in the World Baseball Classic.
Colombia went 1-3 in the World Baseball Classic, dropping from 11th to 15th in the rankings receiving 1,826 points.
Laos, Palestine, and Thailand joined the new rankings for the first time.
The WBSC Men’s Baseball World Rankings includes all results from the past four years across WBSC sanctioned tournaments, from U-12 Baseball World Cup to the Premier12 and World Baseball Classic, as well as continental tournaments and friendlies.
World Baseball Classic 2023 – Final Standings and Ranking Points Earned
1. Japan – 1,150 pts.
2. USA – 953 pts.
3. Cuba – 905 pts.
3. Mexico – 905 pts.
5. Australia – 811 pts.
5. Italy – 811 pts.
5. Puerto Rico – 811 pts.
5. Venezuela – 811 pts.
9. Canada – 621 pts.
9. Dominican Republic – 621 pts.
9. Korea – 621 pts.
9. Netherlands – 621 pts.
13. Czech Republic – 432 pts.
13. Great Britain – 432 pts.
13. Israel – 432 pts.
13. Panama – 432 pts.
17. China – 242 pts.
17. Chinese Taipei – 242 pts.
17. Colombia – 242 pts.
17. Nicaragua – 242 pts.
Rankings and points compiled by and used with the permission of the World Baseball Softball Confederation.