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World Baseball Classic 2026: Standings, scores, and more

World Baseball Classic 2026: Standings, scores, and more

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is underway.

Over the next two weeks, some of the best baseball players in the world will play for national pride in this year’s installment of the World Baseball Classic. 20 teams from across the globe will come together in baseball’s version of the World Cup, leading to a winner-take-all championship game slated for Tuesday, March 17.

Here is everything you need to know for this year’s installment of the World Baseball Classic.

How did teams qualify for the 2026 WBC?

Qualifying for this year’s World Baseball Classic is largely based on the results from the previous WBC, held ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball season. 16 of the 20 teams in the field for this year’s version finished in the top four spots in their respective pools during the 2023 WBC.

As for the other four teams, they qualified for the 2026 WBC during a tournament held in March of 2025. Eight teams entered that qualifying tournament — Nicaragua, Chinese Taipei, Spain, South Africa, Colombia, Brazil, Germany, and China — and of those eight, Nicaragua, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, and Brazil advanced to the 2026 WBC.

What teams are in the 2026 WBC?

Here are the 20 teams in the 2026 World Baseball Classic field, starting with the 16 automatic qualifiers, and then the teams that advanced through the qualification tournament:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Cuba
  • Czech Republic
  • Dominican Republic
  • Great Britain
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • Panama
  • Puerto Rico
  • South Korea
  • United States
  • Venezuela
  • Nicaragua
  • Chinese Taipei
  • Colombia
  • Brazil

What is the format of the WBC?

The 20 teams have been divided into four pools — Pool A, Pool B, Pool C, and Pool D — and the tournament begins with each team playing the other teams in their pool once. In this year’s installment of the World Baseball Classic, the four pools are hosted by four different areas: Pool A is playing in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Pool B is playing in Houston, Texas; Pool C is playing on Tokyo, Japan; and Pool D is playing in Miami, Florida.

At the conclusion of this opening round, the top-two teams in each Pool will advance to the quarterfinals. Should there be a tie in the standings following pool play, the head-to-head record is the tiebreaker to advance to the quarterfinals.

However, if three or more teams are tied in the standings, things get a little more complicated. According to ESPN, tiebreaker No. 1 is the “[l]owest quotient of runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in games between teams that are tied.” If this does not decide matters, tiebreaker No. 2 is the “[l]owest quotient of earned runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in games between the teams that are tied.“

If there is still a tie, the third tiebreaker is the “[h]ighest batting average in games between the tied teams.”

Tiebreaker No. 4? Drawing lots between the tied teams.

Let’s hope there are no ties in the standings next week.

Following the conclusion of pool play, the eight teams that advance to the quarterfinals will face off as follows:

  • Winner Pool A vs. runner-up Pool B
  • Winner Pool B vs. runner-up Pool A
  • Winner Pool C vs. runner-up Pool D
  • Winner Pool D vs. runner-up Pool C

The quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals are all single-elimination.

The four teams that advance to the semifinals are re-seeded, and the winners advance to the winner-take-all championship game.

What are the four pools for the 2026 WBC?

Here are the four pools for the 2026 World Baseball Classic:

  • Puerto Rico
  • Panama
  • Cuba
  • Canada
  • Colombia
  • United States
  • Mexico
  • Italy
  • Great Britain
  • Brazil
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Czechia
  • Chinese Taipei
  • Venezuela
  • Netherlands
  • Dominican Republic
  • Israel
  • Nicaragua

Australia 3, Chinese Taipei 0

South Korea 11, Czechia 4
Australia 5, Czechia 1

Japan 13, Chinese Taipei 0
Cuba 3, Panama 1
Venezuela 6, Netherlands 2
Mexico 8, Great Britain 2
Puerto Rico 5, Colombia 0
Dominican Republic 12, Nicaragua 3
United States 15, Brazil 5
Chinese Taipei 14, Czechia 0

Japan 8, South Korea 6
Canada 8, Colombia 2
Netherlands 4, Nicaragua 3
Italy 8, Brazil 0
Panama vs Puerto Rico, 6:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1
Israel vs. Venezuela, 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Great Britain vs. United States, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox
Chinese Taipei vs. South Korea, 10:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 2

Australia vs. Japan, 6:00 a.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1
Colombia vs. Cuba, 12:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic, 12:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox
Great Britain vs. Italy, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, Tubi
Nicaragua vs. Israel, 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Tubi
Panama vs. Canada, 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Brazil vs. Mexico, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1

South Korea vs. Australia, 6:00 a.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1
Dominican Republic vs. Israel, 12:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1
Colombia vs. Panama, 12:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Brazil vs. Great Britain, 1:00 p.m. Eastern, Tubi
Cuba vs. Puerto Rico, 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1
Venezuela vs. Nicaragua, 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Mexico vs. United States, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox

Czechia vs. Japan, 6:00 a.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1
Israel vs. Netherlands, 7:00 p.m Eastern, Fox Sports App
Canada vs. Purdue, 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Tubi
Italy vs. United States, 9:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1

Canada vs. Cuba, 3:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Italy vs. Mexico, 7:00 p.m. Eastern, Tubi
Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela, 8:00 p.m. Eastern

Friday, March 13 – Quarterfinals

Pool C runner-up vs. Pool D winner, 6:30 p.m Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Pool A runner-up vs. Pool B winner, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox

Saturday, March 14 – Quarterfinals

Pool B runner-up vs. Pool A winner, 3:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1
Pool D runner-up vs. Pool C winner, 9:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox

Sunday, March 15 – Semifinals

TBD vs. TBD, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1

Monday, March 16 – Semifinals

TBD vs. TBD, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox Sports 1

Tuesday, March 17 – Final

TBD vs. TBD, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, Fox

World Baseball Classic standings

Here are the standings for the World Baseball Classic, which will be updated as games go final.

Team Wins Losses Winning Percentage
Cuba 1 0 1.000
Canada 1 0 1.000
Puerto Rico 1 0 1.000
Panama 0 1 .000
Colombia 0 2 .000
Team Wins Losses Winning Percentage
Mexico 1 0 1.000
Italy 1 0 1.000
United States 1 0 1.000
Great Britain 0 1 .000
Brazil 0 2 .000
Team Wins Losses Winning Percentage
Japan 2 0 1.000
Australia 2 0 1.000
South Korea 1 1 .500
Chinese Taipei 1 2 .333
Czechia 0 3 .000
Team Wins Losses Winning Percentage
Venezuela 1 0 1.000
Dominican Republic 1 0 1.000
Netherlands 0 0 .000
Israel 0 0 .000
Nicaragua 0 2 .000

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When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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