The Top Five Pool Play Matchups To Watch in the 2026 WBC
These are the five most intriguing matchups coming up during the first week of World Baseball Classic action.
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The World Baseball Classic is finally here.
20 teams, two weeks, one champion. For a baseball fan, there are few things better than seeing the best baseball players from all around the world representing their home country.
While some may already be looking ahead to a potential United States/Japan championship rematch, the first week of pool play should provide plenty of fireworks.
Here are the top five matchups to watch during the opening round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Top Five Pool Play Matchups
5. Puerto Rico vs. Canada: Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 pm ET
This game would likely have been higher on the list if not for the insurance issues that prevented Puerto Rican stars Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor from competing, but there will still be plenty to look forward to in what should be the best contest of Pool A.
Future Hall of Famer Nolan Arenado will help mitigate the loss of Correa and Lindor, as the 10-time All-Star will man third base after playing with Team USA in 2017 and 2023.
Arenado and veteran catcher Christian Vázquez will provide leadership to an overhauled roster, and newcomer Helliot Ramos will add some thunder to the middle of the order after back-to-back 20 home run seasons with the San Francisco Giants.
Puerto Rico’s true advantage, however, lies in the bullpen. The group is led by Edwin Díaz, who returns to the WBC after tearing his patella while celebrating a victory over the Dominican Republic in 2023.
Though Díaz is the unquestioned headliner, Puerto Rico possesses a deep collection of set-up men to bridge the gap from a somewhat shaky starting rotation.
Fernando Cruz has struck out at least 13 batters-per-innings in each of the last three seasons, while veterans Jovani Moran and Jorge López will give manager Yadier Molina quality middle relief options.
While Puerto Rico may not be quite as strong as in 2023, their history of WBC success, including second-place finishes in 2013 and 2017, proves they can’t be counted out. They will also possess home-field advantage, with San Juan hosting the Pool A competition, which should make for a memorable atmosphere.
If there is one team that can challenge Puerto Rico for the top spot, it’s Canada. Though former MVP Freddie Freeman is not on the roster, this may be the deepest collection of talent Canada has had in their six times in the tournament.
First baseman Josh Naylor and outfielder Tyler O’Neill make up a powerful middle of the order, while top prospect Owen Caissie will take over right field duties.
Canada also has a case as one of the best defenses in the tournament, headlined by center fielder Denzel Clarke (+13 Outs Above Average) and shortstop Otto Lopez (+9 Outs Above Average)
The starting rotation also features a number of established MLB veterans, including Michael Soroka, Cal Quantrill, Jameson Taillon and the recently retired James Paxton.
It’s a group that lacks upside, and that could have really benefited from the services of Nick Pivetta or top prospect Jonah Tong, but this quartet should give Canada a chance to win every time out.
The biggest worry for Canada, especially in a matchup against Puerto Rico, is the bullpen. The only active MLBer is Rob Zastryzny, who posted a 2.45 ERA with the Milwaukee Brewers last year.
With this contest taking place on the penultimate day in pool play, there is a decent chance that both teams have already secured a spot in the next round, but this game could still prove critical to determining who gets to be the home team in the quarterfinals.
4. Australia vs. South Korea: Monday, March 6 at 6:00 am ET
With a loaded Japan team favored to run the table once again in Pool C, the most important matchup of the opening round will come down to the team competing for the second quarterfinal spot.
It was this matchup that helped decide that spot in 2023, as a late Robbie Glendinning home run secured a shocking 8-7 Australia victory that sent them to their first-ever WBC quarterfinal.
Glendinning is one of a WBC-leading 17 players returning to Team Australia from 2023, yet the biggest storyline concerns newcomer Travis Bazzana. The 2024 first overall pick and Just Baseball’s 48th-ranked prospect will add another potent bat to an offense that features six players who posted an OPS over .900 in 2023.
Not to be overshadowed is South Korea’s attack, a relentless mix of proven MLB contributors like Jung Hoo Lee and Hyesong Kim and KBO superstars like reigning Rookie of the Year Hyun Min Ahn and 2024 MVP Do Yeong Kim.
In a battle of heavyweight offenses, this contest may come down to which pitching staff is able to weather the storm.
After allowing 21 runs in their two losses, South Korea took major steps to improve its pitching staff, adding veteran MLB starter Dane Dunning and breakout St. Louis Cardinals reliever Riley O’Brien.
Australia, on the other hand, does not feature an active MLB pitcher on the roster, meaning they will likely repeat their mix-and-max strategy of 2023, when no pitcher recorded more than eight outs in any of their five contests.
Though Chinese Taipei will enter the tournament with momentum after a strong performance in the 2023 WBC and a gold medal at the 2024 Premier 12 tournament, this rematch of powerful offenses makes it the most fascinating contest of Pool C.
3. Mexico vs. Italy: Wednesday, March 11 at 7:00 pm ET
As is the case with Pool C, the main intrigue with Pool B is more about who will finish second than who will finish first.
With a loaded United States team expected to romp through the opening-round competition, all eyes will turn to this contest between Mexico and Italy, two teams looking to build on strong performances in 2023.
Though a two-run walkoff double by Munetaka Murakami sealed a heartbreaking defeat in the semifinals, Mexico’s 2023 WBC appearance was an unequivocal success, proving that a country that has failed to advance past the quarterfinals in each of the first five tournaments could contend with the world’s baseball powers.
Many of the team’s offensive standouts are back for another try, headlined by Pool C MVP Randy Arozarena, and they will add All-Star catcher Alejandro Kirk to the mix.
Though Isaac Paredes will not return after a strong 9-for-24 showing, both Jonathan Aranda and Jarren Duran will take on larger roles after combining for just 11 at-bats in 2023.
The starting rotation, on the other hand, will undergo quite a bit of turnover, as veteran José Urquidy is the only holdover from 2023.
Though the rotation has yet to be announced, one potential option for this game is Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley. The 24-year-old right-hander couldn’t quite put it all together for the Tampa Bay Rays but has the stuff to be a top-of-the-rotation arm.
The X-factor for Mexico is the addition of All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz. The presence of Muñoz, along with a solid set-up combination of Victor Vodnik and Robert Garcia, gives Mexico an edge over nearly every team in the late innings, a stark contrast from the struggles of Giovanny Gallegos in 2023.
Though Mexico’s combination of depth and experience makes them the odds-on favorite to advance, Team Italy cannot be counted out. 2023 saw them advance to the quarterfinals before getting steamrolled by eventual champion Japan, and they have put together an even stronger roster for 2026.
Their lineup is loaded with young MLB talent, including catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Jacob Marsee, and outfielder Jac Caglianone.
At the heart of it all is first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, who returns for his second appearance with Team Italy after hitting a career-high 32 home runs with the Kansas City Royals in 2025.
The starting rotation is led by the veteran combination of Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen, while Dan Atvilla, Greg Weissert and Matt Festa make up a more-than-capable bullpen, albeit one that lacks anyone at the level of Muñoz.
With this game taking place on the last day of pool play, this game could very well determine who advances to the quarterfinals, making it perhaps the most important contest in the first week of the WBC.
2. United States vs. Mexico: Monday, March 9 at 8:00 pm ET
One of the surprising results of last year’s pool play was Mexico’s upset victory over the United States. Facing a largely unremarkable collection of American arms, Mexico pounded out 11 runs and 15 hits, headlined by Joey Meneses’ two-home run, five-RBI performance.
With all due respect to Nick Martinez and Brady Signer, it’s safe to say that the United States has ratcheted up their mound talent this go-around.
Reigning National League Cy Young Paul Skenes will be getting the start in this contest, and even though he will be on a pitch limit, things won’t get much easier with the USA bullpen.
Unlike in 2023, manager Mark DeRosa has an option for every situation. Mason Miller, David Bednar and Garrett Whitlock make up a lethal back end of the bullpen, while left-handers Gabe Speier and Garrett Cleavinger could come into play against Mexico’s collection of left-handed sluggers.
While Mexico will have their work cut out for them, they proved in 2023 that they should not be overlooked. The presence of Muñoz gives them the ability to match up with the U.S in a way they couldn’t in 2023, and they have to like their chances if they are able to keep the game close into the eighth inning.
1. Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic: Wednesday, March 10 at 8:00 pm ET
As intriguing as the other four games are, this is the only matchup where both teams have legitimate cases as the best rosters in the tournament.
The Dominican Republic was one of the biggest disappointments of the 2023 WBC, finishing third in Pool A after dropping contests to Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
Though it was inevitable that one juggernaut would be eliminated in the so-called “Pool of Death,” it was still shocking to see a team loaded with MLB stars go home so early.
If there is a silver lining for the DR, it was that their only other first-round exit in 2009 was followed by a dominant 8-0, championship run in 2013. They certainly have the talent to repeat the feat, with eight of the nine projected starters having at least one All-Star appearance to their name.
Of course, the star of the show is Juan Soto, fresh off a career-high 43 home runs in his first season in New York, but he is hardly the only big bat looming in this thunderous lineup.
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., second baseman Ketel Marte, and centerfielder Julio Rodríguez are arguably the best at their positions in the MLB., while Manny Machado, Junior Caminero and Fernando Tatis Jr. would each be the best player on many other WBC teams.
Though the pitching staff may be a notch down, last year’s NL Cy Young runner-up Christopher Sánchez is one of the best pitchers in the entire tournament, while flamethrowers Camilo Doval and Abner Uribe will lead a deep and talented bullpen.
The only real weakness that the Dominican Republic has is the starting rotation after Sánchez and former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcántara, as both Luis Severino and Brayan Bello have been prone to blowup matchups.
Fortunately for the DR, this is a problem they share with Venezuela, a team with a remarkably similar roster makeup. The injury to Pablo López leaves their starting rotation fairly shallow after All-Star Ranger Suárez, but it may not matter that much with how deep their bullpen is.
Both José Alvarado and Danny Palencia have closing experience and can touch triple-digits with their fastball, while Eduard Bazardo, Ángel Zerpa, Keider Montero, and José Buttó give manager Omar López a diverse assortment of weapons to bridge the gap to them.
Other than former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., Venezuela can’t quite match the Dominican Republic starpower, but their lineup is chock-full of proven MLB talent.
William Contreras and Salvador Perez make up the best catching tandem in the WBC; Maikel Garcia, Luis Arraez and Gleyber Torres will wear out opposing pitchers; and Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu and Eugenio Suárez will form a thunderous trio in the middle of the order.
This lineup has a little bit of everything, and that’s without even mentioning Jackson Chourio, the Milwaukee Brewers’ 22-year-old superstar whose assortment of tools may only be matched by his teammate Acuña.
It’s hard to wrap your head around just how much talent will be on the field at the same time, and we can only hope it’s a precursor to a rematch in the quarterfinals.
More Matchups To Watch
Pool B: South Korea vs. Japan
- Saturday, March 7 at 5:00 AM ET
Pool C: Italy vs. United States
- Monday, March 10 at 9:00 PM ET
Pool D: Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic
- Sunday, March 8 at 12:00 PM ET
Pool D: Netherlands vs. Venezuela
- Friday, March 6 at 12:00 PM ET
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Written by
Daniel Fox is a contributing writer for Just Baseball. He has previously written for Pitcher List, BoSoxInjection, and in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He is…