2026 World Baseball Classic on FOX: Schedule, Preview and More

Published On: March 5, 2026

Author: Mark Schiff

Forget the World Series; the World Baseball Classic is the World’s Series.

Slated for Wednesday, March 4 through Tuesday, March 17, the World Baseball Classic brings together players from all across the globe for a tournament that showcases the global appeal of America’s pastime. Here’s a preview of the event and how to watch it with with DISH. Not a DISH subscriber? Follow this link to find the best offer and subscribe to DISH today!

 

How to Watch the 2026 World Baseball Classic with DISH

FOX Sports will broadcast the 2026 World Baseball Classic on FOX, FS1, FS2, Tubi, and the FOX One app. While games on Tubi will be available for free online, you’ll need a subscription to watch the other games. Check your DISH Guide for your local FOX affiliate; to watch FS1 (channel 150) with DISH, subscribe to America's Top 120 and up. FS2 (channel 149) is available with America's Top 120+ and up, or by adding the Multi-Sport Pack.

 

Full 2026 World Baseball Classic Schedule

UPDATE: The U.S. will face Venezuela in the WBC Championship game on Tuesday, March 17 at 8pm ET on FOX.

The World Baseball Classic is formatted similarly to other global sports tournaments like the FIFA World Cup: Round Robin Pool play – in this case, four Pools consisting of five teams – followed by single-elimination knock-out rounds. The Pools are as follows:

Pool A (Pool Play in San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Canada

Columbia

Cuba

Panama

Puerto Rico

 

Pool B (Pool Play in Houston, TX)

Brazil

Great Britain

Italy

Mexico

USA

 

Pool C (Pool Play in Tokyo, Japan)

Australia

Chinese Taipei

Czechia

Japan

Korea

 

Pool D (Pool Play in Miami, FL)

Dominican Republic

Israel

Netherlands

Nicaragua

Venezuela

 

Pool play begins Wed., March 4 when Chinese Taipei takes on Australia at 10pm ET. Here’s a look at the Knockout Rounds schedule:

All Times Eastern

Knockout Rounds

Friday, March 13

Quarterfinal 1 - Korea vs. Dominican Republic - 6:30 PM - FS2

Quarterfinal 2 - United States vs. Canada - 8 PM - FOX

Saturday, March 14

Quarterfinal 3 - Puerto Rico vs. Italy - 3 PM - FS1

Quarterfinal 4 - Venezuela vs. Japan - 9 PM - FOX

Sunday, March 15

Semifinal 1 - 8 PM - FS1

Monday, March 16

Semifinal 2 - 8 PM - FS1

Tuesday, March 17

Final - 8 PM- FOX

 

Pool Play Results

Wednesday, March 4

TPE 0, AUS 3

Thursday, March 5

CZE 4, KOR 11

AUS at CZE - 10 PM - FS1

Friday, March 6

JPN 13, TPE 0

CUB 3, PAN 1

NED 2, VEN 6

MEX 8, GBR 2

PUR 5, COL 0

NCA 3, DOM 12

USA 15, BRA 5

TPE 14, CZE 0

Saturday, March 7

KOR 8, JPN 8

COL 2, CAN 8

NCA 3, NED 4

BRA 0, ITA 8

PAN 3, PUR 4

ISR 3, VEN 11

GBR 1, USA 9

TPE 5, KOR 4

Sunday, March 8

AUS 3, JPN 4

COL 4, CUB 7

NED 1, DOM 12

GBR 4, ITA 7

NCA 0, ISR 5

PAN 4, CAN 3

BRA 0, MEX 16

Monday, March 9

KOR 7, AUS 2

DOM 10, ISR 1

COL 4, PAN 3

BRA 1, GBR 8

CUB 1, PUR 4

VEN 4, NCA 0

MEX 3, USA 5

Tuesday, March 10

CZE 0, JPN 9

ISR 6, NED 2

CAN 3, PUR 2

ITA 8, USA 6

Wednesday, March 11

CAN 7, CUB 2

ITA 9, MEX 1

DOM 7, VEN 5

 

What is the Team USA roster at the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

As you might imagine, the Team USA roster for the 2026 WBC is stacked. Like, loaded with future Hall of Famers stacked. Here’s a look at the full roster for Team USA.

Pitchers:

  • David Bednar, Yankees
  • Matthew Boyd, Chicago Cubs
  • Garrett Cleavinger, Tampa Bay Rays
  • Clay Holmes, New York Mets
  • Griffin Jax, Tampa Bay Rays
  • Brad Keller, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Clayton Kershaw, last played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, retired after the 2025 season
  • Nolan McLean, Mets
  • Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
  • Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
  • Gabe Speier, Seattle Mariners
  • Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals
  • Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants
  • Garrett Whitlock, Boston Red Sox
  • Ryan Yarbrough, Yankees

Catchers:

  • Cal Raleigh, Mariners
  • Will Smith, Dodgers

Infielders:

  • Alex Bregman, Cubs
  • Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Paul Goldschmidt, Yankees
  • Bryce Harper, Phillies
  • Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers
  • Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

Outfielders:

  • Roman Anthony, Red Sox
  • Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
  • Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
  • Aaron Judge, Yankees

Designated Hitter:

  • Kyle Schwarber, Phillies

As for the projected batting order, the exhibition game between the San Francisco Giants and Team USA on Tuesday, March 3 could provide some insights. Here’s how that shook out:

1. Bobby Witt Jr., SS

2. Bryce Harper, 1B

3. Aaron Judge, RF

4. Kyle Schwarber, DH

5. Alex Bregman, 3B

6. Cal Raleigh, C

7. Roman Anthony, LF

8. Byron Buxton, CF

9. Brice Turang, 2B

 

Team USA has already announced the pitching rotation for its four Pool games. Here’s a look at the starting pitchers and which team they’ll face:

Logan Webb (R) vs. Brazil

Tarik Skubal (L) vs. Great Britain

Paul Skenes R) vs. Mexico 

Nolan McLean (R) vs. Italy

 

What is Team USA’s history at the World Baseball Classic?

Despite baseball being “America’s past time,” Team USA has a surprisingly mixed history since the World Baseball Classic began in 2006. That team was eliminated by Mexico in the second round, with Japan emerging as the first WBC champion after defeating Cuba in the final. Speaking of Japan, they earned their second-straight WBC title in 2009 after knocking out the Americans in the semifinal, then defeating Korea in the Final courtesy of Ichiro Suzuki’s two-out, two-run single in the 10th inning. Despite switching to an every four years format in 2013, Team USA was still unable to collect a trophy, exiting in the second round courtesy of a 4-3 loss to Puerto Rico. The Dominican Republic claimed its first WBC title that year thanks to an unbeaten run that included a 3-0 win over Puerto Rico in the final. In 2017, Team USA finally broke through, beating Japan 2-1 in the semifinal and clobbering Puerto Rico 8-0 in the championship game. The next World Baseball Classic was delayed two years due to the pandemic, but the 2023 edition delivered arguably the most memorable moment in the tournament’s history. That’s when Shohei Ohtani struck out his then Angels teammate Mike Trout with a series of 100 MPH heaters in a 2-1 championship victory.

 

How Often is the World Baseball Classic Played?

The WBC is scheduled to be played every four years. However, the pandemic forced the 2021 WBC to be pushed to 2023. Because of what would have been a shortened two-year gap between the 2023 WBC and the previously scheduled 2025 event, it was delayed another year to 2026. Beginning in 2029, the WBC will resume its quadrennial schedule, with the next tournament scheduled for 2033.

 

What are the Odds for the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

Since the first World Baseball Classic in 2006, only three teams have won the event: Japan (2006, 2009, and 2023), the Dominican Republic (2013), and the United States (2017). This year, the U.S., with -110 odds, is a heavy favorite to win, according to DraftKings. They’re followed by Japan (+330), the Dominican Republic (+450), and Venezuela (+900). At +40000 odds, the Czech Republic, Nicaragua, and Brazil have the longest odds to win the tournament.