Prior to the official opening of the 2025 Major League Baseball season, teams from around the world were competing for spots in the 2026 World Baseball Classic roster.
The Qualifiers are Colombia, Brazil, Chinese Taipei, and Nicaragua.
For the second year, the World Baseball Classic will feature 20 teams in four pools of five teams each.
Once play begins, the top two teams from each pool will move on to the quarterfinal round which will be in Houston and Miami on March 13 & 14.
Should Team USA advance to the quarterfinals, they will play on March13 and if Samurai Japan makes it to the quarterfinals, they will play on March 14.
Semifinal play will begin on March 15.
Pool A will take place at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico from March 6 to 11 with:
Puerto Rico
Cuba
Canada
Panama
and Colombia
Pool B will play at Minute Maid Park in Houstin, Texas (USA) from March 6 to 11 with:
Team USA
Mexico
Italy
Great Britain
and Brazil
Pool C will play at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan from March 5 to 10 with host Japan defending its three previous WBC championships, and:
Australia
Korea
Czechia
and Chinese Taipei
Pool D will play at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida (USA) from March 6 to 11 with:
Venezuela
Dominican Republic
Netherlands
Israel
and Nicaragua