Poll: Who Will Win The 2026 World Baseball Classic?

"The final then led to an exciting and memorable climax, with Japan leading the United States 3-2 going into the ninth. Japan sent Shohei Ohtani, their designated hitter, to the mound to get the final three outs. Ohtani walked Jeff McNeil but then got Mookie Betts to ground into a double play. Ohtani's then-teammate with the Angels stepped to the plate with the title on the line. Trout worked a full count but was ultimately punched out by Ohtani, giving Japan the crown."

"Japan has been the most successful club in WBC history, with that being their third title. They also won in 2006 and 2009. The Dominican Republic emerged victorious in 2013, followed by the United States in 2017. There was then a bigger gap than usual due to the pandemic, with the 2021 version getting pushed to 2023."

"This year's version will again feature a whole bunch of big names. Japan has Ohtani, Murakami, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Kazuma Okamoto, Seiya Suzuki and more. The Americans are loaded with stars like Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Bryce Harper and more. The Dominicans have Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, and Fernando Tatis Jr."

The 2026 World Baseball Classic commences with Australia playing Chinese Taipei in the opening match. Japan defends its title as the tournament's most successful nation with three championships (2006, 2009, 2023). The 2023 edition featured dramatic moments including Puerto Rico's upset over the Dominican Republic, Mexico's quarterfinal victory over Puerto Rico, and Japan's thrilling semifinal win against Mexico. Japan's championship-clinching final saw Shohei Ohtani pitch the final inning, striking out Mike Trout to secure a 3-2 victory over the United States. The 2026 tournament showcases exceptional talent across participating nations, with Japan featuring Ohtani, Murakami, and Yamamoto, while the United States boasts Judge, Skenes, and Harper.

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