The United States and Canada could meet in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with matchups between the top two finishers from Pool A and Pool B scheduled for Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 13 or 14.[1][2]

Pool B games are hosted at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, featuring the U.S., Mexico, Japan and Brazil. Pool A is at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan with Canada, Cuba, Italy and Puerto Rico.[1][2]

Mark DeRosa is managing Team USA for the second consecutive WBC after leading the Americans to the championship game in 2023.[3]

Aaron Judge, outfielder for the New York Yankees and Team USA captain, returns after earning tournament MVP honors in 2023 with a .450 average, five home runs and eight RBIs across seven games.[4][5]

Canada's roster includes Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor, who hit .243 with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs in 2024, his brother catcher Bo Naylor, Oakland Athletics third baseman Abraham Toro and Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Owen Caissie.[6][7][8][9]

The teams have met three times in WBC history: Canada won 6-4 in 2009 pool play in Toronto; the U.S. won 9-4 in 2013 pool play in Phoenix and 8-0 in 2017 pool play in Miami. The U.S. leads the series 2-1.[10][11]

• 2009: Canada 6, USA 4 (March 7, Toronto)
• 2013: USA 9, Canada 4 (March 12, Phoenix)
• 2017: USA 8, Canada 0 (March 9, Miami)

Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros, seats 40,963 and was renamed ahead of the 2025 MLB season under a sponsorship deal.[12][13]

The winner of a Pool A-B quarterfinal advances to the semifinals at loanDepot park in Miami on March 16 or 17, with the final on March 18.[1][2]

The baseball rivalry coincides with U.S.-Canada competition in ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, where NHL stars including New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes, 23, represent Team USA.[14][15]

Sources

1. MLB.com
   2026 World Baseball Classic pools, sites, dates announced
   September 17, 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-2026-wbc-teams-pools-sites-dates-announced
2. World Baseball Classic official site
   2026 WBC Schedule & Locations
   Accessed February 2025
   https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/schedule
3. MLB.com
   MLB announces field managers for 2026 World Baseball Classic
   November 21, 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-announces-field-managers-for-2026-world-baseball-classic
4. MLB.com
   Aaron Judge named 2023 World Baseball Classic MVP
   March 21, 2023
   https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-named-world-baseball-classic-mvp
5. Baseball-Reference.com
   2023 World Baseball Classic Player Stats
   Accessed February 2025
   https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/2023_World_Baseball_Classic
6. MLB.com
   Josh Naylor player page
   Accessed February 2025
   https://www.mlb.com/player/josh-naylor-641757
7. MLB.com
   Abraham Toro player page
   Accessed February 2025
   https://www.mlb.com/player/abraham-toro-666742
8. MLB.com
   Owen Caissie player page
   Accessed February 2025
   https://www.mlb.com/player/owen-caissie-680736
9. MLB.com
   Bo Naylor player page
   Accessed February 2025
   https://www.mlb.com/player/bo-naylor-666579
10. MLB.com
    USA defeats Canada 9-4 in 2013 WBC
    March 12, 2013
    https://www.mlb.com/news/usa-9-canada-4-wbc-pool-d
11. MLB.com
    USA shuts out Canada 8-0 in 2017 WBC
    March 9, 2017
    https://www.mlb.com/news/usa-defeats-canada-8-0-in-wbc
12. MLB.com
    Houston Astros' Minute Maid Park to become Daikin Park
    December 16, 2024
    https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-minute-maid-park-renamed-daikin-park
13. MLB.com
    Daikin Park (Minute Maid Park)
    Accessed February 2025
    https://www.mlb.com/astros/ballpark
14. NHL.com
    Jack Hughes player page
    Accessed February 2025
    https://www.nhl.com/devils/player/jack-hughes-8480020
15. Olympics.com
    Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Schedule
    Accessed February 2025
    https://olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/ice-hockey