The final rosters for the 2026 World Baseball Classic have been announced, and baseball fans are in for a treat! The sixth edition of the tournament, featuring 20 national teams, boasts the most decorated field in its history, with a record number of MLB All-Stars and some of the game's brightest young talent.
Here are the key highlights from the official roster announcement:Star Power Abounds
History will be made as all four reigning MLB MVP and Cy Young Award winners are participating for the first time ever:
Reigning MVPs: Aaron Judge (Team USA) and Shohei Ohtani (Team Japan).
Reigning Cy Young Winners: Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal (both Team USA).
In total, the rosters feature a stunning 78 MLB All-Stars. Team USA leads the way with 22 All-Stars, followed by a stacked Dominican Republic squad with 16, and Venezuela with 12.Team and Player Spotlights
Team USA enters the tournament with the highest roster bWAR in WBC history. The squad includes MLB MVPs Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Harper, and Clayton Kershaw, joining Judge.
Team Japan (Samurai Japan) is aiming for its second consecutive title, led by a fearsome roster that includes six NPB MVPs, notably Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Team Dominican Republic also brings its most decorated roster ever, featuring stars like Manny Machado, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Juan Soto. World Series MVP Jeremy Peña is also on the roster.
Team Puerto Rico sees eight-time MLB All-Star Nolan Arenado make his debut for the team in his third Classic appearance.
The roster features seven MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects, including Nolan McLean (#6, Team USA), Travis Bazzana (#20, Team Australia), and Owen Caissie (#42, Team Canada).
Cuban slugger Alfredo Despaigne and Netherlands pitcher Shairon Martis are set to tie the record for the most tournament appearances with five each.
Tournament Format
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will run from March 5th through March 17th.
Round One will take place across four pools:
Pool A: San Juan
Pool B: Houston (featuring the USA and Canada)
Pool C: Tokyo (featuring Japan, Korea, and Australia)
Pool D: Miami (featuring the Dominican Republic and Venezuela)
The Quarterfinals are scheduled for March 13th and 14th in Houston and Miami, with the Championship Round (Semifinals and Final) taking place in Miami from March 15th through the Championship Game on March 17th.
Get ready for what promises to be the most exciting World Baseball Classic yet!