Sports

Ohtani, Japan Look to Defend WBC Title, While USA Aims for Redemption
By James Moreau | 04 Mar, 2026

Defending champion Japan seeks their fourth WBC title, while a stacked U.S. squad is listed as the favorite.

The stage is set for the 2026 World Baseball Classic beginning on March 5th.  The premier international tournament will take place in the Tokyo Dome, Houston’s Daikin Park, San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium, and Miami’s LoanDepot Park.

All eyes are on Japan, the defending champions who clinched the 2023 title in dramatic fashion when Shohei Ohtani struck out then-teammate Mike Trout.  Their roster again will feature the NL MVP, Dodger teammate and World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and one of the most talked about international acquisitions of the offseason – White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami.

While Japan is the historic powerhouse – and the only country with multiple titles – odds makers are currently favoring team USA.  The American squad consists of MLB superstars, led by AL MVP Aaron Judge and Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal.

The Asian contingent is complete with South Korea and Chinese Taipei.  South Korea, captained by Giants’ star outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, has bolstered its squad with four US-born players.  Chinese Taipei enters the fray with a roster featuring Asian American prospects Stuart Fairchild of the Guardians’ system and Jonathon Long of the Cubs’ organization.

The final again will take place in Miami on March 17th.