When is the next World Baseball Classic? Date, possible hosts, and more

Baseball fans around the world can breathe a sigh of relief as MLB has confirmed that the World Baseball Classic will return in 2026. This announcement was made before the 2023 championship game between Team Japan and Team USA in Miami. Players have already expressed their eagerness to compete in the next tournament and are looking forward to representing their countries on the global stage.

The WBC has reached its end, with Team Japan lifting the trohpy for the third time in the team’s history. Just like this year’s version, the 2026 tournament will aim at bringing the best players from around the world to compete for their respective countries. Since then, the tournament has been held every four years, with the exception of 2021, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With Shohei Ohtani as a closer, team Japan have won the World Baseball Classic final

The decision to hold the next WBC in 2026 was part of the collective bargaining agreement between the MLB and the MLB Players Association. The agreement was reached last year to end the MLB lockout, and it outlined plans for the next few years, including the 2026 WBC. While the intent had been to make a more definitive ruling in conjunction with the players' association after the current tournament, the early success of this year's WBC prompted both parties to move forward with holding the next tournament in 2026.

2023 World Baseball Classic possible hosts

No host city has been confirmed for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. However, many speculate that it will likely return to Latin America as one of the venues for pool-play. Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico are among the possible countries.

Mexico was one of the hosts in the 2017 World Baseball Classic

The 2026 World Baseball Classic might be the first to be played outside of the Americas and Asia; European teams have proven to be good competitors and bringing the game to them could help grow the sport in smaller markets.

The WBC has been a popular event among fans and players alike. It provides a unique opportunity for players to represent their countries and showcase their skills on a global stage. The tournament has also helped to grow the game of baseball internationally, with more countries participating each year.

While details about the 2026 WBC are still scarce, we do know that 16 teams have automatically qualified based on their play in this year's tournament. The last-place finishers in each pool will have to attempt to re-qualify. The 16 qualified teams include the United States, Japan, Mexico, Cuba, Italy, Netherlands, Panama, Australia, Korea, Czech Republic, Canada, Great Britain, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Israel, and Venezuela.

Baseball fans can mark their calendars for the next World Baseball Classic, which will take place in 2026. The tournament has been a major success in promoting the game of baseball internationally, and it provides players with a unique opportunity to represent their countries on a global stage. While details about the tournament are still scarce, fans and players alike can look forward to another exciting WBC in 2026.