Baseball fans the world over are preparing for a treat, as the MLB teams release players from spring training to represent their nations in the World Baseball Classic.
The last time the World Baseball Classic was held in 2023, Japan were crowned the world champions. Again they will be a major threat, particularly with Shohei Ohtani ready to lead the way.
Throw on your national colours and get ready to PLAY BALL!
WHAT IS THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC?
The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is an international professional baseball tournament, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. There are 20 national teams involved, with top MLB players selected for their homelands. The 2026 tournament runs March 5-17, 2026.
WHICH NATIONS ARE COMPETING IN THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC?
Americas: Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, United States, Venezuela
Asia: Chinese Taipei, Japan, South Korea
Europe: Czechia, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Netherlands
Oceania: Australia
They are separated into the following pools:
HOW DOES THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC WORK?
The tournament has four pools of five teams in round-robin play. The Americas and Europe playing in the U.S. and Puerta Rico, Asia and Oceania playing in Tokyo.
The quarterfinal stage:
March 13 - Miami
Runner-up Pool C vs. Winner Pool D
March 13 - Houston
Runner-up Pool A vs. Winner Pool B
March 14 - Houston
Runner-up Pool B vs. Winner Pool A
March 14 - Miami
Runner-up Pool D vs. Winner Pool C
Followed by semifinals on March 15 and 16 and the final on March 17.
WHERE IS THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC BEING PLAYED?
Miami and Houston - USA; San Juan - Puerta Rico; Tokyo - Japan.
WHEN DO AUSTRALIA PLAY IN THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC?
Pool C Fixtures
March 5 (Thu)
14:00 AEDT Australia vs. Chinese Taipei - ESPN 2 / Disney+
21:00 AEDT Korea vs. Czechia
March 6 (Fri)
14:00 AEDT Australia vs. Czechia - ESPN / Disney+
21:00 AEDT Japan vs. Chinese Taipei
March 7 (Sat)
14:00 AEDT Czechia vs. Chinese Taipei
21:00 AEDT Japan vs. Korea
March 8 (Sun)
14:00 AEDT Chinese Taipei vs. Korea
21:00 AEDT Japan vs. Australia - ESPN / Disney+
March 9 (Mon)
21:00 AEDT Australia vs. Korea - ESPN / Disney+
March 10 (Tue)
21:00 AEDT Japan vs. Czechia
WHO IS IN THE AUSTRALIAN SQUAD FOR THE WORLD BASBEALL CLASSIC?
With four players boasting Major League experience the Australians are fielding a very strong squad. They face some stiff Asian competition with Japan the stand outs, but Korea and Chinese Taipei not far behind.
Manager of Team Australia
David Nilsson
Pitchers
Kieren Hall, Ky Hampton, Josh Hendrickson, Sam Holland, Jon Kennedy, Connor MacDonald, Cooper Morgan, Mitch Neunborn, Jack O'Loughlin (MLB experience), Warwick Saupold (MLB experience), Blake Townsend, Todd Van Steensel, Alex Wells (MLB experience), Lachlan Wells, Coen Wynne
Catchers
Mitchell Edwards, Alex Hall, Robbie Perkins
Infielders
Travis Bazzana (2024 MLB Draft No.1 pick), George Callil, Jarryd Dale, Robbie Glendinning, Curtis Mead (MLB experience), Logan Wade, Rixon Wingrove
Outfielders
Ulrich Bojarski, Chris Burke, Max Durrington, Tim Kennelly, Aaron Whitefield (MLB experience)
HOW CAN I WATCH THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC IN AUSTRALIA?
ESPN will broadcast the Australia's games at the WBC, and other select matches from the pool stage, as well as every game from the knock-out stage. Watch it via ESPN on Disney+, Foxtel and Kayo.
Check out the list of games and where you can find them below.
Thursday March 5
2pm AEDT, Australia vs Chinese Taipei, ESPN2
Friday March 6
2pm AEDT, Australia vs Czechia, ESPN
Saturday March 7
12pm AEDT, USA vs Brazil, ESPN2
9pm AEDT, Korea vs Japan, ESPN2
Sunday March 8
9pm AEDT, Australia vs Japan, ESPN
Monday March 9
9pm AEDT, Korea vs Australia, ESPN
Saturday March 14
9.30am AEDT, World Baseball Classic Quarter Final 1, ESPN2
11am AEDT, World Baseball Classic Quarter Final 2, ESPN on Disney+
Sunday March 15
6am AEDT, World Baseball Classic Quarter Final 3, ESPN2
12pm AEDT, World Baseball Classic Quarter Final 4, ESPN on Disney+
Monday March 16
11am AEDT, World Baseball Classic Semi Final 1, ESPN on Disney+
Tuesday March 17
11am AEDT, World Baseball Classic Semi Final 2, ESPN on Disney+
Wednesday March 18
11am AEDT, World Baseball Classic Championship Game, ESPN on Disney+
WHO IS IN THE USA TEAM FOR THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC?
Pitchers
David Bednar, Matthew Boyd, Garrett Cleavinger, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Brad Keller, Clayton Kershaw, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal, Gabe Speier, Michael Wacha, Logan Webb, Garrett Whitlock, Ryan Yarbrough
Catchers
Cal Raleigh, Will Smith
Infielders
Alex Bregman, Ernie Clement, Paul Goldschmidt, Bryce Harper, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang, Bobby Witt Jr.
Outfielders
Roman Anthony, Byron Buxton, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Aaron Judge
Designated Hitter
Kyle Schwarber