Ahead of the 2026 Major League Baseball season — with Opening Night streaming exclusively on Netflix March 25 — fans will be treated to the World Baseball Classic, featuring the Top 20 national teams from across the globe.

From the United States to Japan to the Dominican Republic to Korea, countries will showcase their best homegrown talent in the MLB stars competing for the 2026 WBC crown.

Led by the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, three-time winner Japan is the defending champion and favorite once again, while the US is anchored by American League MVP Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees and National League Cy Young winner Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other icons on the diamond.

Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming tournament.

When is the World Baseball Classic?

The 2026 World Baseball Classic takes place March 5–17.

What teams are in the World Baseball Classic?

The 20 countries taking part in the 2026 World Baseball Classic are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Czechia, Dominican Republic, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, United States, and Venezuela.

Who are the top World Baseball Classic players?

Top players and fan favorites to watch in the 2026 World Baseball Classic include:

• Aaron Judge (United States / New York Yankees)
• Bobby Witt Jr. (United States / Kansas City Royals)
• Cristopher Sánchez (Dominican Republic / Philadelphia Phillies)
• Juan Soto (Dominican Republic / New York Mets)
• Paul Skenes (United States / Pittsburgh Pirates)
• Ranger Suarez (Venezuela / Boston Red Sox)
• Ronald Acuña Jr. (Venezuela / Atlanta Braves)
• Shohei Ohtani (Japan / Los Angeles Dodgers)
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Dominican Republic / Toronto Blue Jays)
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Japan / Los Angeles Dodgers)

Where is the World Baseball Classic being played?

Locations for the 2026 World Baseball Classic include Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Daikin Park in Houston, Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, and loanDepot park in Miami.

How does the World Baseball Classic tournament work?

The World Baseball Classic is made up of four pools, each with five teams. The top two teams from each pool advance to the quarterfinals, a single-elimination tournament. The final two teams face off for the championship on March 17 in Miami.

How to watch the World Baseball Classic:

If you are in Japan, you can watch WBC on Netflix, included in all plans. If you are not in Japan, check out MLB.com for all viewership information.

More baseball on Netflix

Major League Baseball’s Opening Night — between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants — marks the premiere of Netflix’s live baseball coverage with additional marquee events planned throughout the 2026 season, including the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and the MLB at Field of Dreams game.