As the 2026 World Baseball Classic approaches, Puerto Rico and Venezuela bring dugouts loaded with decorated names in a 20-nation field. Former MVPs run hitting drills. Gold Glove winners hit fungoes across the diamond. Hall of Famers fine-tune swings in the cage. Both teams rank in the WBSC global top five and are set to blend established Major League stars with emerging international talent. Their bracket paths leave open the real possibility of meeting under the lights in Miami, with a championship on the line and decades of Caribbean baseball pride in play.
Venezuela begins play in Pool D alongside the Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua, and the Netherlands. Two teams from that group will advance to the quarterfinals, which take place March 13–14 in Miami. If Venezuela advances out of pool play and wins its quarterfinal and semifinal matchups, it would secure its first trip to the WBC title game.
Puerto Rico opens in Pool A, hosted in San Juan. Their group includes Colombia, Cuba, Panama, and Canada. Should Puerto Rico finish top two, they too would advance to the quarterfinals — with a potential path to face the Pool D winner or runner-up in Miami.
From there, a meeting in the WBC championship game on March 17 at loanDepot Park becomes possible.
Both nations are leaning on experience and continuity in the dugout. Venezuela’s staff includes manager Omar López, hitting coach Miguel Cabrera, pitching coach Johan Santana, and bench coach Robinson Chirinos — all of whom bring WBC and Major League pedigree.
Manager Yadier Molina and general manager Carlos Beltrán lead Puerto Rico. The coaching roster includes Joey Cora, Alex Cintrón, Sandy Alomar Jr., and Hall of Famer Edgar Martínez.
Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 vs Venezuela 🇻🇪 en el #2026WorldBaseballClassic… cuerpos técnicos llenos de leyendas. ¿Se verán en la final? 👇#WBC #Beisbol #PuertoRico #Venezuela
🇵🇷 Puerto Rico – Cuerpo Técnico
Mánager – Yadier Molina
Gerente general – Carlos Beltrán
Coach de banca – Alex… pic.twitter.com/T5Q4vRtml2— World Baseball Network (@WorldBaseball_) August 14, 2025
For a full breakdown of both coaching staffs — and a look at what it would take to reach the championship
Omar López – Manager
Returns to lead Venezuela after taking the team to the quarterfinals in 2023 and finishing fourth at the 2024 Premier12. Currently serves as bench coach for the Houston Astros.
Johan Santana – Pitching Coach
Two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana was officially confirmed by MLB and @wbcbaseball on August 11. He threw the first pitch in WBC history on U.S. soil in 2006 and now returns nearly two decades later as pitching coach.
Miguel Cabrera – Hitting Coach
Cabrera, who retired in 2023 after 21 Major League seasons, joins Venezuela’s staff after appearing in all five editions of the WBC. He hit home runs in four different tournaments and helped lead Venezuela to the semifinals in 2009.
Carlos “Beto” Méndez – Hitting Coach
Méndez will assist Cabrera, forming a duo that blends generational star power with technical instruction.
Robinson Chirinos – Bench Coach
A veteran catcher from the 2017 WBC roster, Chirinos steps into a leadership role and will help bridge communication between players and staff.
Gerardo Parra – Outfield, First Base, Baserunning Coach
A two-time WBC veteran, Parra brings energy and experience to Venezuela’s outfield and basepath strategies.
Víctor Martínez – Assistant Manager
Martínez, another WBC alum, offers a cerebral voice alongside López. His switch-hitting MLB career adds depth to Venezuela’s staff.
Jorge Córdova – Bullpen Coach
Córdova will oversee the bullpen and manage reliever routines.
Rouglas Odor – Infield and Third Base Coach
Odor’s focus will be on infield positioning and duties at third base, working closely with Venezuela’s middle infielders.
Nestor Corredor – Field Coordinator / BP Pitcher
Corredor joins as field coordinator and BP pitcher, supporting daily prep and team logistics.
Tomás Vera – Head Trainer
Vera leads the training staff and player health programs during the WBC.
Javier Bracamonte – Bullpen Catcher
Bracamonte will serve as bullpen catcher and assist with reliever support throughout the tournament.
Venezuela opens Pool D play on March 6 against the Netherlands at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Yadier Molina – Manager
The 10-time Gold Glove catcher returns to manage Team Puerto Rico for a second consecutive WBC. He also managed Puerto Rico during the 2023 tournament and remains active in coaching across winter ball.
Carlos Beltrán – General Manager
Beltrán, a nine-time All-Star and WBC veteran, will oversee roster construction for a third straight WBC cycle.
Alex Cintrón – Bench Coach
Cintrón, a longtime Astros hitting coach, takes on a key tactical role alongside Molina.
Joey Cora – Third Base Coach
The experienced MLB coach and former Mariners infielder will handle duties at third base.
Sandy Alomar Jr. – First Base Coach
The former Indians catcher and six-time All-Star adds elite catching knowledge and baserunning perspective to the coaching staff.
Ricky Bones – Pitching Coach
Bones, a former big league pitcher and longtime Mets coach, returns as Puerto Rico’s pitching lead.
José Rosado – Bullpen Coach
Rosado will oversee the bullpen, having held previous coaching roles with the Royals and USA Baseball.
Victor Rodríguez – Hitting Coach
Rodríguez brings decades of hitting expertise and development knowledge, having worked in the Orioles’ system.
Juan González – Assistant Hitting Coach
A two-time American League MVP and staple in international competition, González rejoins the staff after previous WBC and Premier12 experience.
Edgar Martínez – Hitting Strategy Advisor
The Hall of Famer and Mariners executive will bring modern hitting philosophy to the dugout, marking his first national team coaching assignment.
Puerto Rico opens Pool A play on March 6 against Colombia at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan.
Game times and ticket info for the 2026 #WorldBaseballClassic have been announced!
Pool Play starts Thursday, March 5 at the Tokyo Dome with the 2026 champion being crowned on Tuesday, March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami at 8 pm ET.
Pre-register for tickets:… pic.twitter.com/jaKbvo8bXi
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) July 8, 2025
A full schedule for the 2026 World Baseball Classic is below.
March 5
Noon JST – Chinese Taipei vs. Australia – Tokyo Dome
7 p.m. JST – Czechia vs. South Korea – Tokyo Dome
March 6
Noon JST – Australia vs. Czechia – Tokyo Dome
Noon CST – Mexico vs. Great Britain – Daikin Park
Noon EST – The Netherlands vs. Venezuela – loanDepot Park
Noon AST – Cuba vs. Panama – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
7 p.m. JST – Japan vs. Chinese Taipei – Tokyo Dome
7 p.m. CST – United States vs. Brazil – Daikin Park
7 p.m. EST – Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic – loanDepot Park
7 p.m. AST – Puerto Rico vs. Colombia – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
March 7
Noon JST – Chinese Taipei vs. Czechia – Tokyo Dome
Noon CST – Mexico vs. Great Britain – Daikin Park
Noon EST – Nicaragua vs. The Netherlands – loanDepot Park
Noon AST – Colombia vs. Canada – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
7 p.m. JST – South Korea vs. Japan – Tokyo Dome
7 p.m. CST – Great Britain vs. United States – Daikin Park
7 p.m. EST – Israel vs. Venezuela – loanDepot Park
7 p.m. AST – Panama vs. Puerto Rico – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
March 8
Noon JST – Chinese Taipei vs. South Korea – Tokyo Dome
Noon CST – Great Britain vs. Italy – Daikin Park
Noon EST – The Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic – loanDepot Park
Noon AST – Colombia vs. Cuba – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
7 p.m. JST – Australia vs. Japan – Tokyo Dome
7 p.m. CST – Brazil vs. Mexico – Daikin Park
7 p.m. EST – Nicaragua vs. Israel – loanDepot Park
7 p.m. AST – Panama vs. Canada – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
March 9
Noon JST – South Korea vs. Australia – Tokyo Dome
Noon CST – Brazil vs. Great Britain – Daikin Park
Noon EST – Dominican Republic vs. Israel – loanDepot Park
Noon AST – Colombia vs. Panama – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
7 p.m. JST – Czechia vs. Japan – Tokyo Dome
7 p.m. CST – Mexico vs. United States – Daikin Park
7 p.m. EST – Venezuela vs. Nicaragua – loanDepot Park
7 p.m. AST – Cuba vs. Puerto Rico – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
March 10
7 p.m. AST – Canada vs. Puerto Rico – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
7 p.m. EST – Israel vs. Nicaragua – loanDepot Park
8 p.m. CST – Italy vs. United States – Daikin Park
March 11
3 p.m. AST – Canada vs. Cuba – Hiram Bithorn Stadium
6 p.m. CST – Italy vs. Mexico – Daikin Park
8 p.m. EST – Dominican Republic vs. Nicaragua – loanDepot Park
Quarterfinals
March 13 – 6:30 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park
March 13 – 8 p.m. EST – Daikin Park
March 14 – 3 p.m. EST – Daikin Park
March 14 – 9 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park
Semifinals
March 15 – 8 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park
March 16 – 8 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park
Championship Game
March 17 – 8 p.m. EST – loanDepot Park
WBN WBC: https://worldbaseball.com/league/wbc/
