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The 2026 World Baseball Classic has begun!
Over the coming fortnight, numerous global baseball icons will grace the field under the intense international spotlight.
Beyond the United States, which nations are considered favorites to claim victory? Who are the prime candidates to deliver a major upset? And which individual stars are poised to deliver the most brilliant performances during this year’s competition?
It’s time to delve into these questions with our WBC Power Rankings, competitive tiers, and essential strategies for achieving supremacy in 2026.
Tier I: The Superteam Trio
1. United States
Pool B | Championship odds: -110
Anticipated MVP: Bobby Witt Jr. appeared as a 22-year-old pinch runner, recording just two at-bats in the last WBC. Since then, his career has skyrocketed: he’s secured two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers, finished in the top five for MVP voting twice, and accumulated an impressive 24.4 FanGraphs wins above replacement, a figure only trailing Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. At 25, he could already be one of baseball’s top three players, and he’s poised for a standout performance in this event. — Alden Gonzalez
Decisive Factor: Nolan McLean’s inclusion in this tournament is notably surprising, as top pitching prospects rarely participate. The Mets’ 24-year-old right-hander is slated to play a crucial role. Following a recent battle with vertigo, McLean is scheduled to start on Tuesday against Italy. Furthermore, U.S. manager Mark DeRosa has indicated McLean would be lined up to pitch in a potential championship game. Team USA officials are confident in McLean’s explosive arsenal against elite international hitters. Their confidence will soon be tested. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: With a .600 winning percentage across the initial five WBCs, the U.S. ranks merely fifth, behind Japan, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Korea. In contests against those four teams, plus Mexico and Cuba, the U.S. has posted an 11-13 record. — David Schoenfield
The U.S. will triumph if … its pitching lives up to expectations. This represents Team USA’s strongest pitching staff ever assembled for a WBC, even with Tarik Skubal making just one abbreviated start against a weaker Great Britain side, and Joe Ryan unavailable until the knockout phase. Featuring Paul Skenes, Skubal, Logan Webb, and Ryan — provided his back injury doesn’t prevent participation — the U.S. boasts the tournament’s premier rotation. McLean, Clay Holmes, and Matthew Boyd provide significant depth. Mason Miller serves as the closer, supported by a robust bullpen bridge. The lineup, anchored by Aaron Judge, is expected to generate abundant runs. Should the pitching perform as anticipated, the Americans could achieve an undefeated run. — Jorge Castillo
1:37
Judge: Team USA looking to carry Olympic hockey momentum into WBC
Aaron Judge joins Pat McAfee to explain how Team USA is looking to carry the momentum from Olympic hockey into the World Baseball Classic.
2. Dominican Republic
Pool D | Championship odds: +400
Anticipated MVP: Juan Soto. Within a squad brimming with superstars, he is the undisputed leader. Among a lineup featuring some of the game’s finest hitters, he stands as the most exceptional. While not the official captain, Soto will set the tone for the Dominican Republic. Three years prior, Soto went 6-for-15 with five extra-base hits in the tournament, yet the Dominican team failed to advance past pool play. He is determined to prevent a repeat of that outcome. — Gonzalez
Decisive Factor: Cristopher Sanchez is making his WBC debut, following a dominant breakout season where he achieved a 2.50 ERA, logged 202 regular-season innings, and finished runner-up in National League Cy Young voting. He is the ace of a Dominican pitching staff that appears significantly improved from three years ago, and his two starts demand commanding performances. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: The Dominican Republic claimed the title in 2013 with an 8-0 record, becoming one of only two teams to go unbeaten throughout the tournament (Japan achieved 7-0 in 2023). Robinson Cano was named tournament MVP in 2013, and Fernando Rodney recorded seven saves. However, you undoubtedly recall the pitching hero in the 3-0 championship victory over Puerto Rico: indeed, Samuel Deduno delivered five scoreless innings before Rodney ultimately closed it out. — Schoenfield
The Dominican Republic will triumph if … its bullpen can consistently throw strikes. The lineup is arguably the best in the tournament. The rotation is robust even without Framber Valdez and Freddy Peralta (both absent from this year’s event). The relief corps possesses talent with impressive stuff across the board, but walks could pose a challenge. Last season, right-handers Seranthony Dominguez and Camilo Doval ranked among the bottom nine in walk rate for major league relievers. Huascar Brazoban and Wandy Peralta registered 9.7% walk rates, while Abner Uribe had a 9.1% walk rate. If they can command the strike zone, the Dominicans will rebound from their disappointing 2023 showing. Otherwise, they won’t overcome the tournament’s other top contenders. — Castillo
3. Japan
Pool C | Championship odds: +350
Anticipated MVP: This is straightforward – it’s Shohei Ohtani, even if his role in the WBC is limited to hitting. Before his bullpen appearance to strike out Mike Trout and secure the 2023 WBC championship, Ohtani posted a 1.345 OPS in the tournament. His recent batting practice display in Japan had observers reacting with childlike wonder. No, Ohtani won’t make an emergency pitching appearance, but his contributions with the bat should be sufficient to once again lead Samurai Japan. — Gonzalez
Decisive Factor: Hiromi Itoh recorded a 14-8 record with a 2.52 ERA over 196⅔ innings for the Nippon-Ham Fighters last year, earning the Sawamura Award as NPB’s top pitcher—an honor Yoshinobu Yamamoto claimed three consecutive times. Yamamoto will join Itoh in this year’s rotation, but he might face workload restrictions due to his heavy schedule last fall. Ohtani and Yu Darvish, meanwhile, will not be pitching. Thus, Itoh is the individual who must elevate his performance. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Masataka Yoshida drove in 13 runs during Japan’s 2023 championship run—their third WBC title—setting a record for the most RBIs in a single tournament. He is again on the roster, but with Ohtani largely covering DH duties, Japan would need to deploy him in the outfield, where he has played only seven games in the past two years with the Red Sox. — Schoenfield
Japan will triumph if … its starting rotation holds strong without Ohtani, Darvish, and Roki Sasaki. Ohtani is participating solely as a hitter. Sasaki opted to remain in camp with the Dodgers. Darvish is sidelined for the entire season.
Despite these absences, the Japanese rotation still ranks among the tournament’s best. Yamamoto is one of the world’s elite pitchers. Itoh secured the Sawamura Award—NPB’s Cy Young equivalent—last season. Yusei Kikuchi is a reliable major league starter. However, Japan lacks the depth it boasted in 2023. Tomoyuki Sugano, who posted a 4.64 ERA in his debut major league season, is anticipated to start a game. Tatsuya Imai might join the team in the knockout stage, but that remains uncertain. There’s also Yamamoto’s condition; he’s coming off a Herculean effort in October. Will the Dodgers permit him a substantial workload in this tournament? Even if he does pitch extensively, will he be dominant? It would be challenging for Japan to repeat as champions without his stellar performance. — Castillo
Tier II: Biggest threats
4. Venezuela
Pool D | Championship odds: +900
Anticipated MVP: Ronald Acuna Jr. is undoubtedly the biggest star on this team, but Jackson Chourio merits considerable attention. In two major league seasons at ages 20 and 21, he has blasted 42 home runs, swiped 43 bases, achieved a .781 OPS, and accumulated 6.8 fWAR. He further participated in winter league play in Venezuela this offseason, ensuring he is more than prepared to confront premier pitching in this tournament. — Gonzalez
Decisive Factor: Dominant left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado was unable to secure insurance for this tournament, suggesting Eduard Bazardo will now serve as setup man and Daniel Palencia as closer. Bazardo and Palencia are both coming off impressive seasons for the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs, respectively, and provide Venezuela with a strong late-game one-two punch that was less evident in 2023. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Venezuela holds the distinction of being the strongest team never to reach a final, with a third-place finish in 2009 as its best result. For the first time, they will compete without Miguel Cabrera, who played at least one game in the initial five WBCs. He is serving as a hitting coach this year. — Schoenfield
Venezuela can make a deep run if … Acuña performs exceptionally. For some reason, Acuña appears to be somewhat overlooked. The former NL MVP re-established himself among the world’s premier and most electrifying players upon returning from injury last season. He was one of the few bright spots in a difficult season for Atlanta, batting .290 with 21 home runs and a .935 OPS in 95 games. His unique skill set and confident demeanor can dramatically influence games—and tournaments. If Acuña can connect for a few home runs and steal some bases, he will galvanize his team and captivate the Miami crowd. With that, Venezuela could finally break through to reach its inaugural final. — Castillo
5. Mexico
Pool B | Championship odds: 22-1
Anticipated MVP: No one embodies the spirit of the WBC quite like Randy Arozarena, the Cuban-born outfielder who continues to represent the country where he established residency on his journey to the United States. Three years ago, Arozarena was the driving force and heart for a Mexican team that surpassed many expectations, slashing .450/.607/.900 and captivating fans throughout the tournament. This is truly his stage. — Gonzalez
Decisive Factor: Team Mexico will likely need to rely on its powerful hitting to advance through this tournament, so the key contributors will be those who bat alongside Arozarena in the lineup—specifically, Alejandro Kirk, Jonathan Aranda, Rowdy Tellez, Alek Thomas, and Jarren Duran. This offensive unit is superior and deeper than the 2023 version, and it needs to demonstrate that capability. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Mexico holds a 3-1 record against the U.S. in WBC history, suffering a 2-0 loss in pool play in 2006 but then eliminating the U.S. with a 2-1 victory in the second round, where eight pitchers combined for a three-hitter. Mexico also triumphed 5-2 in 2013 and 11-5 in 2023, with Joey Meneses hitting two home runs in the latter game. — Schoenfield
Mexico can make a deep run if … its pitching staff delivers unexpected performances. Mexico reached the semifinals in 2023—and nearly upset Japan—on the strength of a robust starting rotation. That group looks quite different this time around. Julio Urias, the 2023 staff ace, is out of baseball following a second suspension for domestic violence. Jose Urquidy couldn’t obtain insurance. Taj Bradley would have been a significant addition but chose not to participate. For now, the rotation features two confirmed starters: Taijuan Walker and Javier Assad. Mexico might opt for openers in its other two pool-play games. Regardless, a formidable bullpen, with Andres Munoz as closer, must perform for Mexico to achieve another strong run. — Castillo
6. Puerto Rico
Pool A | Championship odds: 20-1
Anticipated MVP: Some within the Giants organization have expressed high praise for Heliot Ramos’s offseason dedication, believing he is poised for a bounce-back year in 2026. Puerto Rico needs that resurgence to materialize a bit sooner, as the outfielder anchors a lineup that has experienced several significant losses leading into this tournament. — Gonzalez
Decisive Factor: Three years ago, Edwin Diaz suffered a knee injury during a celebration after an exhilarating victory over the Dominican Republic, a devastating blow on what was meant to be a momentous night in Miami. His eagerness to return—he described it as an “easy yes,” given that Puerto Rico will host pool-play games—is a significant boost to a team defined by its absences. If Diaz is pitching the ninth inning, Puerto Rico is in a strong position. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: As runner-up in both 2013 and 2017, Puerto Rico boasts an impressive 23-11 record in WBC history. They were a perfect 7-0 heading into the 2017 championship game but ultimately lost 8-0 to the U.S. — Schoenfield
Puerto Rico can make a deep run if … unheralded players step up to help the lineup overcome significant absences. Puerto Rico’s position player group is not nearly as robust as anticipated due to the unavailability of four key players: Star infielders Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa were not cleared for insurance reasons. Javier Baez, an All-Star last season, was suspended for failing a drug test in 2023. Kiké Hernandez is still recovering from offseason elbow surgery.
Despite these losses, the lineup remains solid. Nolan Arenado is a future Hall of Famer. Ramos and Willi Castro have both achieved All-Star status. Eddie Rosario and Christian Vazquez possess extensive WBC and postseason experience. However, others must emerge and deliver. Outfielders Bryan Torres, Carlos Cortes, and Matthew Lugo, along with infielders Edwin Arroyo, Darell Hernaiz, and Luis Vázquez, will be among the first-time participants afforded this opportunity. — Castillo
7. Korea
Pool C | Championship odds: 65-1
Anticipated MVP: Jung Hoo Lee and Hyeseong Kim are the major leaguers anchoring Korea’s lineup, but keep a close watch on Ahn Hyun-min, a 22-year-old who slashed .334/.448/.547 with 22 home runs in 112 games in the Korea Baseball Organization last year. He is already one of the KBO’s top sluggers and has attracted significant attention from major league scouts. — Gonzalez
Decisive Factor: Won Tae-in will be the cornerstone of Korea’s rotation, having posted a 3.24 ERA over a career-high 166⅔ innings for the Samsung Lions last year. He made three appearances for Korea in the 2023 WBC but surrendered three runs in 4⅓ innings. He will need to deliver a much stronger performance this time around. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Korea reached the semifinals in 2006 and lost the 2009 title game to Japan, but has since failed to advance out of pool play in three consecutive tournaments, with a 2-1 record in 2013 (eliminated on run differential), 1-2 in 2017 (losing to Israel and the Netherlands), and 2-2 in 2023. — Schoenfield
Korea can make a deep run if … its pitching staff recovers from a dismal 2023 showing. Korea allowed eight runs in an upset loss to Australia before surrendering 13 to Japan in its initial two games in 2023, leading to its third consecutive failure to advance out of pool play in the WBC.
Hyun Jin Ryu, who hasn’t pitched for his country since the 2009 WBC, now headlines the pitching staff. However, he is 38 years old. The Koreans require Dane Dunning and a group of KBO hurlers, including Ko Young-pyo, Son Ju-young, So Hyeong-jun, and Jeong Woo-joo, to help avoid another disappointing performance. — Castillo
Tier III: Upset candidates
8. Canada
Pool A | Championship odds: 50-1
Anticipated MVP: Freddie Freeman is not participating this year, but Josh Naylor is, and he warrants our close attention. Naylor made such a strong impression in Seattle late last season that the Mariners prioritized re-signing him (which they did with a five-year, $92.5 million deal). He consistently puts the ball in play, hits for power, and has demonstrated an uncanny ability to steal bases despite possessing well below-average speed. In essence, he is perfectly suited for a short tournament. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Canada has never progressed beyond pool play, coming closest in the inaugural 2006 tournament, when they went 2-1 but were eliminated on run differential. That year, Canada defeated the U.S. in one of the biggest upsets in WBC history. That team featured Jason Bay, Justin Morneau, Matt Stairs, and Corey Koskie, but the No. 9 hitter Adam Stern, who had just 43 major league at-bats, emerged as the hero with three hits and a home run. — Schoenfield
Canada can be this year’s surprise team if … its lineup slugs its way to victories. With Puerto Rico significantly affected by absences, Canada possesses the strongest lineup in Pool A, even without Freeman, who participated in 2023 but declined this time. The team will feature major leaguers from 1 through 9, spearheaded by Naylor and Tyler O’Neill. Bo Naylor is among the tournament’s best catchers, Denzel Clarke might be the world’s finest defensive center fielder, and outfield prospect Owen Caissie exhibits genuine power.
The Canadians have a trio of reliable starting pitchers in Jameson Taillon, Michael Soroka, and Cal Quantrill, but Rob Zastryzny is their only reliever who appeared in a major league game last season. Ultimately, they will require their offense to propel them out of Pool A—the tournament’s most competitive group—and into the knockout stage for the first time. — Castillo
9. Italy
Pool B | Championship odds: 80-1
Anticipated MVP: While Jac Caglianone’s true breakout potential hasn’t yet been fully realized in the major leagues, there’s a strong possibility we’ll witness it in this tournament. Spring training might have offered an early glimpse. In his first 15 Cactus League at-bats, the Royals’ 23-year-old prodigious power hitter collected six hits, three of which were for extra bases. One of his batted balls registered a velocity of 120.2 mph, making him only the eighth player to reach 120 mph in Statcast’s 11-year history. Another, his sole home run, traveled 460 feet. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Italy has secured at least one victory in every WBC, but it has never defeated any of the traditional baseball powerhouses, with its most significant wins being two against Mexico. Most players on this year’s squad have MLB experience, though two pitchers on the team, Claudio Scotti (who pitched briefly in the minors for the Mets) and Gabriele Quattrini, are actually from Italy. — Schoenfield
Italy can be this year’s surprise team if … the influx of major league players, particularly pitchers, is sufficient to surpass Mexico for second place in Pool B. Italy advanced out of pool play in 2023 with a vastly different roster. That pool was played in Taiwan. This one will take place in Houston, which facilitated convincing Italian-American major leaguers to commit. Aaron Nola will be the finest starting pitcher to ever wear an Italy uniform. The bullpen will be Italy’s strongest ever. The lineup, featuring Vinnie Pasquantino and Caglianone, should boast big leaguers from 1 through 9. Italy truly poses a threat to advance to the quarterfinals. — Castillo
10. Cuba
Pool A | Championship odds: 80-1
Anticipated MVP: We’ll opt for a sentimental choice here. Alexei Ramirez will participate in this tournament at 44 years old, a decade after his last major league season. He played in the inaugural WBC in 2006, when he was just 26, before even breaking through with the White Sox. Soon, he will be the oldest player in WBC history. What remaining skills does he possess? It’s uncertain. But it would be remarkable to see him help Cuba achieve an unexpected run. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Cuba holds an 18-14 record in WBC history, ranking fifth all-time in wins behind Japan (30), Puerto Rico (23), the U.S. (21), and the Dominican Republic (20). They reached the 2023 semifinals, defeating Australia in the quarterfinals before suffering a 14-2 blowout loss to the U.S. — Schoenfield
Cuba can be this year’s surprise team if … its pitching staff allows for low-scoring games. This team does not resemble the formidable Cuban rosters of previous years when the country excelled in international play, including a second-place finish in the inaugural 2006 WBC. A diminished talent pipeline and political decisions have resulted in a position player group that appears weak on paper, explaining why a 44-year-old Ramirez is on the roster.
Consequently, Cuba needs its pitching staff to keep games tight. Left-hander Liván Moinelo, one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s top starters, is coming off a 1.46 ERA over 24 starts in Japan. Right-hander Raidel Martínez is among the world’s best relievers, with a 1.62 ERA across eight NPB seasons and a league-leading 46 saves in 2025. It falls to this star duo to lead the way. — Castillo
11. Colombia
Pool A | Championship odds: 80-1
Anticipated MVP: Michael Arroyo is likely this team’s top offensive player. The 21-year-old second baseman was ranked as ESPN’s 62nd-best MLB prospect by Kiley McDaniel entering 2026, and is coming off a season where he posted an .834 OPS, hit 17 home runs, and stole 12 bases across the Mariners’ High-A and Double-A affiliates. He possesses excellent contact skills, but can also contribute power. Colombia will require plenty of both. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: This marks Colombia’s third consecutive WBC appearance, having first qualified in 2017 when they defeated Canada and nearly achieved a monumental upset against the U.S., losing 3-2 in 10 innings. They almost pulled off another upset against the U.S. in 2023, losing by the same 3-2 score. — Schoenfield
Colombia can be this year’s surprise team if … Jose Quintana handles his business and the lineup surpasses expectations. Quintana, the most accomplished pitcher in Colombian baseball history, was not on the 2023 team. A strong start from him in pool play is essential for them to make an impact in this tournament.
Offensively, Colombia does not have a player expected to be on a major league Opening Day roster. Gio Urshela, who went 0-for-14 in 2023, is the most experienced among them. Arroyo—a 21-year-old top-100 prospect—shows promise. Donovan Solano, Jorge Alfaro, and Harold Ramirez are among the other recognizable names Colombia will need to produce. — Castillo
12. Netherlands
Pool D | Championship odds: 100-1
One player to note: Ceddanne Rafaela is poised to deliver several spectacular plays in center field during this tournament. The lingering question, as ever, is whether his bat will produce sufficiently. If his spring training performance with the Boston Red Sox is any indicator—five hits, four of which were for extra bases, in 13 at-bats—he will. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: The Netherlands has consistently performed above its expected standing in previous WBC tournaments, notably eliminating a powerhouse Dominican team with a 2-1 victory in 2009 and subsequently reaching the semifinals in both 2013 and 2017. Pitcher Shairon Martis, whose last major league appearance was in 2013, returns for his fifth WBC, having pitched in 2006, 2013, 2017, and 2023. — Schoenfield
Netherlands can be this year’s surprise team if … its major league talent delivers. Even after losing Jurickson Profar due to his recent PED suspension, Xander Bogaerts, Ozzie Albies, and Rafaela lead a potent Netherlands lineup predominantly composed of players from Curacao and Aruba.
The pitching staff presents a different narrative. Closer Kenley Jansen is the sole established major leaguer, and 22-year-old Pirates prospect Antwone Kelly might reach the majors in 2026. However, it is an inexperienced pitching staff that will rely on the offense to post significant run totals to defeat the Dominican Republic or Venezuela. — Castillo
Tier IV: The long shots
13. Israel
Pool D | Championship odds: 250-1
Anticipated MVP: Harrison Bader is renowned as one of baseball’s elite defensive outfielders, and last season he demonstrated his capability to be more than a platoon bat, hitting 17 home runs with an adjusted OPS 17 percentage points above the major league average. He was recently sidelined by a thumb bruise but is expected to be fully fit for this tournament. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Israel debuted in the WBC in 2017, surprisingly achieving a 3-0 record in pool play with victories over Korea, Chinese Taipei, and the Netherlands. Israel was the first team to qualify for the WBC via preliminary rounds and then go undefeated in the initial round of the main draw. They then went 1-2 in the second round, beating Cuba but losing to the Netherlands and Japan. — Schoenfield
Israel’s WBC will be deemed successful if … it manages to upset the Netherlands and defeat Nicaragua to secure third place in Pool D. Spencer Horwitz and Bader anchor a solid lineup that also includes Blue Jays minor league outfielder RJ Shreck, who posted an .854 OPS with 18 home runs across four levels last season. However, the bullpen, featuring major leaguers Tommy Kahnle, Matt Bowman, and Max Lazar, stands as Israel’s primary strength. — Castillo
14. Panama
Pool A | Championship odds: 100-1
Anticipated MVP: Jose Caballero is an exceptional defender with blistering speed—he has stolen a remarkable 93 bases in 265 games over the past two seasons—and a strong tendency to draw walks. Late last year, while slashing .266/.372/.456 in 40 games for the Yankees, he also demonstrated that his bat can perform at a high level. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Panama returns for its fourth WBC appearance, having participated in 2006, 2009, and 2023. They finished 2-2 in 2023, missing out on advancing due to run differential. Panama possesses a rich baseball history, boasting 81 major leaguers, including Hall of Famers Rod Carew and Mariano Rivera. — Schoenfield
Panama’s WBC will be deemed successful if … it progresses to the knockout stage. Logan Allen is Panama’s only pitcher on a big league 40-man roster, and the absence of DH Ivan Herrera (due to insurance issues) is a setback. However, with Cabellero, Edmundo Sosa, Leo Jimenez, Miguel Amaya, and Johan Camargo in the infield, the Panamanians possess the position player group capable of advancing from Pool A. — Castillo
15. Great Britain
Pool B | Championship odds: 250-1
Anticipated MVP: Jazz Chisholm Jr. is undeniably the most accomplished player on this roster, but catching prospect Harry Ford delivered a very strong performance in the 2023 WBC at just 20 years old, going 4-for-13 with two homers. Now that he has been traded to the Washington Nationals and is no longer blocked by Cal Raleigh in Seattle, many anticipate this will be a significant year for Ford. It could begin early. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Outfielder Matt Koperniak is the only player on the roster actually born in England—everyone else originates from the U.S. or the Bahamas—though he grew up in Massachusetts. — Schoenfield
Great Britain’s WBC will be deemed successful if … it wins two games in Pool B. Great Britain defeated Colombia in the 2023 WBC and nearly achieved a bigger upset against Mexico, ultimately losing 2-1. Another win three years later, led by Chisholm and Ford, would signify progress. Great Britain should overcome Brazil. Toppling Mexico or Italy—assuming a victory over Team USA is unlikely—is conceivable. Great Britain is already off to a decent start with slightly improved jerseys compared to its font-challenged uniforms of 2023. — Castillo
16. Chinese Taipei
Pool C | Championship odds: 200-1
Anticipated MVP: Chieh-Hsien Chen earned MVP honors at the 2024 WBSC Premier12, an international tournament where he batted .625 and contributed to eliminating Japan in the final. Now, after slashing .277/.357/.391 in the Chinese Professional Baseball League, the 32-year-old outfielder will captain Chinese Taipei in the WBC. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Chinese Taipei has won 18 Little League World Series titles, although its 2025 victory was its first since 1996. Its WBC history, however, stands at a modest 5-12 record. — Schoenfield
Chinese Taipei’s WBC will be deemed successful if … it advances out of Pool C. Chinese Taipei has participated in the first five WBC tournaments but has never reached the knockout rounds. Infielder Yu Chang returns after starring in 2023, going 7-for-16 with two home runs and eight RBIs, earning MVP honors in Pool A. This year, Chinese Taipei boasts several talented young players from various minor league farm systems, including Tigers prospect Hao-Yu Lee and Cubs prospect Jonathon Long, as well as ace right-hander Jo Hsi Hsu, who signed with NPB’s Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in December, to help them survive group play for the first time. — Castillo
Tier V: Just happy to be there
17. Australia
Pool C | Championship odds: 250-1
One player to note: Travis Bazzana was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLB draft, then ascended three levels within the Cleveland Guardians’ minor league system in 2025, entering this season as ESPN’s 23rd-ranked prospect. Nick Kurtz and Konnor Griffin have since commanded much of the spotlight from Bazzana’s draft class, but the already highly refined 23-year-old infielder has an opportunity to reclaim some of that attention in this tournament. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Australia has contributed 34 big leaguers since infielder Craig Shipley reached the majors in 1986. The majority of these have been pitchers, but the most accomplished Australian player ever was C/DH Dave Nilsson, who batted .284/.356/.461 in 837 major league games. Coming off his finest season with the Brewers in 1999 with a .954 OPS, he desired to play for the Australian Olympic team in 2000. Following the Olympics, he was signed by the Red Sox but failed his physical due to a knee injury and never returned to the majors. — Schoenfield
18. Nicaragua
Pool D | Championship odds: 500-1
One player to note: Mark Vientos chose to honor his mother by playing for Nicaragua and enters this tournament as its most gifted player. The New York Mets initially believed they had something special in Vientos when he blasted 27 homers with an .837 OPS in 2024. That mark declined to .702 last year, but Vientos is still only 26 years old. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: One of the standout moments of the 2023 tournament featured Nicaragua’s 21-year-old reliever Duque Hebbert striking out Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, and Rafael Devers—all on three changeups—in the ninth inning of a first-round game, immediately leading to a deal with the Tigers. He reached Double-A in 2025. — Schoenfield
19. Brazil
Pool B | Championship odds: 500-1
One player to note: Jose Contreras’ son, Joseph, is a 17-year-old right-hander committed to Vanderbilt, and he will pitch for Brazil in the WBC. Like his father, Joseph is listed at 6-foot-4 and throws a forkball. He has also recently experienced significant velocity increases and could become a first-round pick in the MLB draft later this summer. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Brazil has produced five major league players, with longtime catcher Yan Gomes being the most famous. Outfielder Paulo Orlando played 278 games in the majors and now serves as the team’s hitting coach, while former major leaguer Andre Rienzo is the pitching coach. — Schoenfield
20. Czechia
Pool C | Championship odds: 500-1
One player to note: Martin Schneider lives a dual life. In one, he is a firefighter in his hometown of Olomouc, a city of approximately 100,000 residents. In another, he is a star pitcher and shortstop for the Czech Republic’s national baseball team. Schneider defeated Spain in the 2022 qualifiers, securing Czechia’s entry into its first WBC the following year. Now, at age 40, he is returning from shoulder surgery to pitch for his home country. — Gonzalez
A piece of trivia to impress your acquaintances: Everyone’s favorite underdog, the Czech team utilizes few American-born imports, instead fielding a roster of actual electricians and plumbers who play baseball recreationally. In its inaugural WBC in 2023, it defeated China 8-5 when Martin Muzak hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the ninth inning. Muzak is back on the team, as is pitcher Ondrej Satoria, who famously struck out Shohei Ohtani on three pitches. — Schoenfield