Japan opened Pool A play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic on March 6, 2026, against Chinese Taipei at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo.[1][2]

Shohei Ohtani, captain of Team Japan and a two-way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, featured for the defending champions.[3][4] Ohtani's teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a Dodgers pitcher who signed a 12-year, $325 million contract in December 2023, started on the mound.[3][5]

Japan won the 2023 World Baseball Classic with a 3-2 victory over the United States in the final at LoanDepot Park in Miami on March 21, 2023.[6][7] The tournament marked Japan's second title, following their 2009 victory.

Pool A, hosted at Tokyo Dome from March 6-11, also includes Cuba and Czech Republic. The top two teams from each of four pools advance to quarterfinals in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Miami.[1][2]

The World Baseball Classic is held every four years and features 20 national teams competing for the sport's top international prize.[1]

Japan's next Pool A match is scheduled against Cuba on March 7, 2026.[2]

Tokyo Dome, home of the Yomiuri Giants, has a capacity of approximately 55,000 and previously hosted Pool A games during the 2006 and 2009 WBC tournaments.[8]

Sources

1. MLB.com
   World Baseball Classic 2026 pools, sites, dates announced
   May 29, 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-pools-sites-dates-announced
2. WBSC.org
   WBSC announces 2026 World Baseball Classic Pools, venues & dates
   May 29, 2024
   https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/wbsc-announces-2026-world-baseball-classic-pools-venues-dates
3. MLB.com
   Shohei Ohtani player page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/shohei-ohtani-660271
4. MLB.com Dodgers
   Dodgers finalize 10-year, $700 million contract with Shohei Ohtani
   December 9, 2023
   https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-contract-finalized
5. MLB.com
   Dodgers sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto to 12-year, $325 million deal
   December 22, 2023
   https://www.mlb.com/news/yoshinobu-yamamoto-dodgers-contract-agreement
6. MLB.com
   Japan beats U.S. 3-2 to win 2023 World Baseball Classic
   March 22, 2023
   https://www.mlb.com/news/japan-wins-2023-world-baseball-classic
7. WBSC.org
   Japan win second IBAF World Baseball Classic
   March 22, 2023
   https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/japan-win-second-world-baseball-classic
8. Wikipedia
   Tokyo Dome
   Accessed October 2024
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Dome