2026 World Baseball Classic on FOX: Schedule, Preview and More
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
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 full Pool play schedule:
All Times Eastern
Wednesday, March 4
TPE 0, AUS 3
Thursday, March 5
CZE 4, KOR 11
AUS at CZE - 10 PM - FS1
Friday, March 6
JPN at TPE - 5 AM - FS1
CUB at PAN - 11 AM - FS2
NED at VEN - 12 PM - Tubi
MEX at GBR - 1 PM - FS1
PUR at COL - 6 PM - FS1
NCA at DOM - 7 PM - FS2
USA at BRA - 8 PM - FOX
TPE at CZE - 10 PM - FS2
Saturday, March 7
KOR at JPN - 5 AM - FS1
COL at CAN - 11 AM - FS2
NCA at NED - 12 PM - Tubi
BRA at ITA - 1 PM - FOX App
PAN at PUR - 6 PM - FS1
ISR at VEN - 7 PM - FS2
GBR at USA - 8 PM - FOX
TPE at KOR - 10 PM - FS2
Sunday, March 8
AUS at JPN - 6 AM - FS1
COL at CUB - 12 PM - FS2
NED at DOM - 12 PM - FOX
GBR at ITA - 1 PM - Tubi
NCA at ISR - 7 PM - Tubi
PAN at CAN - 7 PM - FS2
BRA at MEX - 8 PM - FS1
Monday, March 9
KOR at AUS - 6 AM - FS1
DOM at ISR - 12 PM - FS1
COL at PAN - 12 PM - FS2
BRA at GBR - 1 PM - Tubi
CUB at PUR - 7 PM - FS1
VEN at NCA - 7 PM - FS2
MEX at USA - 8 PM - FOX
Tuesday, March 10
CZE at JPN - 6 AM - FS1
ISR at NED - 7 PM - FOX App
CAN at PUR - 7 PM - Tubi
ITA at USA - 9 PM - FS1
Wednesday, March 11
CAN at CUB - 3 PM - FS2
ITA at MEX - 7 PM - Tubi
DOM at VEN - 8 PM - FS1
Knockout Rounds
Friday, March 13
Quarterfinal 1 - 6:30 PM - FS2
Quarterfinal 2 - 8 PM - FOX
Saturday, March 14
Quarterfinal 3 - 3 PM - FS1
Quarterfinal 4 - 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
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.
