The 2023 World Baseball Classic is well behind us, as we now wait for the next one. The 2023 event, from both business and viewership standpoints, was a major success for the sport. So, when will we get to see the world’s best take the stage again? We have an answer to that question.
Is there a World Baseball Classic in 2025?
No, there is no World Baseball Classic in 2025.
When will the next WBC be held?
In March 2023, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed that the next World Baseball Classic will be held in March 2026, three years after the last event. This marks a bit of a departure from normal, as the event usually takes place every four years. However, the 2009 World Baseball Classic took place three years after the inaugural tournament.
The 2023 event marked the first time the WBC was held since 2017. Thanks to COVID-19, the scheduled 2021 installment of the World Baseball Classic was pushed back by two years.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic, much like previous events, will take place before the start of the regular season yet again. That’s notable, given that several star players missed significant time in 2023 due to injuries sustained in the tournament.
Mets closer Edwin Diaz suffered a torn patellar tendon and missed all of 2023, while Astros infielder Jose Altuve fractured his thumb after being hit by a pitch and lost the first month.
Another question that will need to be answered is whether or not more MLB teams would be willing to release star pitchers to participate in the event. Manfred spoke to that in March 2023, stating that he hopes that the quality of the pitching staff will eventually be equal to the list of position players that participate in the tournament.
Where will the 2026 WBC be held?
In May 2024, MLB confirmed that games will be held in Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Dome) and San Juan, Puerto, Rico (Hiram Birthorn Stadium), as well as in Houston (Minute Maid Park) and Miami (loanDepot Park) in the United States.
The four cities will host pool play action. The quarterfinals will be held in Houston and Miami and the 2026 World Baseball Classic final will take place in Miami yet again.
Which teams will be in the 2026 WBC?
As of 2024, 12 teams have been confirmed for the 2026 WBC. Those teams are Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, and Panama in Pool A, the U.S., Mexico, Italy, and Great Britain in Pool B, Japan, Australia, Korea, and Czechia in Pool C, and Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, and Israel in Pool D.
All teams qualified based upon finishes in the 2023 WBC.
The other teams will be determined in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers.
The first qualifier will take place from February 21-25, 2025 in Taiwan. South Africa, Nicaragua, Spain, and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) are the other teams in that one.
The second qualifier will feature China, Germany, Brazil, and Columbia. It will be held from March 2-6, 2025, in Tuscon, Arizona.
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