Featured Columnist IVAugust 21, 2024
Rob Tringali/WBCI/MLB Photos through Getty Photos
Open clearing your March 2026 calendar now.
On Wednesday, the World Baseball Traditional offered the bracket format, agenda and pools for the 2026 tournament. Every of the four pools could well secure five groups in it, play will open on March 5 and the championship sport will be on March 17:
World Baseball Traditional @WBCBaseball
Announcing the pools and agenda for the 2026 #WorldBaseballClassic!
The gap round begins March 5, quarterfinals open March 13 and the championship round begins March 15! pic.twitter.com/tT5h848dcs
The US finds itself in Pool B alongside Mexico, Italy, Huge Britain and a qualifier to make certain in due direction. Reigning champion Japan is in Pool C with Australia, Korea, Czechia and an launch qualifier self-discipline.
The winner and runner-up from every pool will technique to the quarterfinals, which open March 13. The semifinals will take station on March 15 and 16.
Having the tournament in March manner Principal League Baseball gamers can participate and now not secure to scare about missing any of the 2026 habitual season. Of us who attain play will omit time in spring practising, however they’re going to gentle be taking portion in excessive-leverage baseball scenarios that should relieve them put collectively for the upcoming campaign.
American fans will the truth is secure loads of opportunities to eye the video games, because the Pool B video games will take station in Houston.
From there, Miami and Houston will host the quarterfinals video games. Miami could even host the semifinal video games and the championship conflict.
Baseball fans are surely hoping the 2026 tournament is as thrilling because the 2023 one.
There used to be no shortage of memorable moments, at the side of Adam Jones helping relieve the People’ 4-2 lead in a earn-or-proceed-home sport against the Dominican Republic by robbing Manny Machado of a home flee at the wall.
All of it constructed towards the championship sport between the United States and Japan, and the ending felt admire something from a film script. Mike Trout stepped to the plate with two outs within the ninth inning with the People trailing by a flee and a probability to play the hero.
Alternatively, his then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani struck him out on a fat count to provide Japan the title.
It also gave Japan the different to defend its crown in 2026.
