Japan, winners of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, enter the 2026 tournament as defending champions aiming for a repeat title.[1][2] The team, based in Pool A in Tokyo alongside Australia, South Korea and Czech Republic, will send its top two teams to the quarterfinals.[3]

Shohei Ohtani, designated hitter and pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was named MVP of the 2023 WBC after hitting a walk-off home run against the United States in the semifinals, headlines the Japanese roster.[2][4]

Quarterfinals are scheduled for March 13-14 at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, and Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Japan's possible quarterfinal matchup on March 14 at loanDepot park pits the Pool A runner-up against the Pool B winner.[3][5]

Pool B in Miami features the United States, Mexico, Canada and Great Britain. The Miami venue, home of the Miami Marlins, hosted pool play and quarterfinals during the 2023 WBC.[5]

Venezuela, competing in Pool C in San Juan with the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Nicaragua, last reached the WBC semifinals in 2009 when it finished fourth.[1][6]

The winner of Japan's potential quarterfinal advances to the semifinals on March 16-17 at loanDepot park, with the final on March 18.[3]

Sources

1. World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), "WBSC announces Pool venues, dates for 2026 World Baseball Classic", November 16, 2023, https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/wbc2026-pools-venues-dates-announced
2. MLB.com, "Japan defeats Team USA to win 2023 World Baseball Classic", March 21, 2023, https://www.mlb.com/news/japan-wins-2023-world-baseball-classic
3. World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), "2026 World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://www.wbsc.org/en/event/wbc2026
4. MLB.com, "Shohei Ohtani named 2023 World Baseball Classic MVP", March 22, 2023, https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-named-wbc-23-mvp
5. MLB.com, "World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
6. Wikipedia, "Venezuela national baseball team", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela_national_baseball_team