World Baseball Classic 2026 Bracket: Printable PDF Guide
The World Baseball Classic returns March 5–17, 2026, bringing the world’s best baseball talent together for 13 days of international competition. Whether you’re tracking Team USA’s pursuit of championship glory or following your favorite nation through pool play, having a reliable World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule at your fingertips is essential. This guide delivers verified dates, venue details, monthly match highlights, and straightforward instructions for creating your own World Baseball Classic bracket 2026 printable PDF to follow every game from opening day through the championship.
Tournament Overview: Quick Facts You Need to Know:
- Tournament Dates: March 5–17, 2026
- Format: 20 teams, four pools, single-elimination knockout rounds
- Host Cities: Tokyo (Japan), San Juan (Puerto Rico), Houston (Texas), Miami (Florida)
- Championship Venue: loanDepot park, Miami, Florida
The 2026 edition maintains the tournament’s signature intensity — pool play and knockout rounds are compressed into a roughly 13-day window. The pools are hosted in Tokyo (Asia) and three North American locations (San Juan, Houston, and Miami), offering varied time-zone windows for global viewers and a distinct local flavor in each host city.
How the Bracket Works: From Pools to Championship
Understanding the World Baseball Classic groups 2026 structure is straightforward. Twenty national teams are divided into four pools (A through D):
- Pool A plays at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Pool B competes at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas
- Pool C battles at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan
- Pool D faces off at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida
Each pool plays a round-robin format: Pool play in Tokyo, which takes place March 5–10, while the San Juan, Houston, and Miami pools run March 6–11. The top two teams from each pool—eight total—advance to the quarterfinals. The knockout stage follows a clean single-elimination bracket: four quarterfinal matchups (March 13–14) split between Houston and Miami, followed by semifinals (March 15–16) and the championship game (March 17), all held at loanDepot park.
This structure rewards consistent pool-play performance while maintaining the high-stakes drama of must-win elimination games. One bad day in the semifinals, and your tournament is over.
World Baseball Classic Teams 2026: The Field
While the complete roster breakdowns evolve as MLB rosters finalize, the 20 participating nations represent baseball’s strongest international talent pools. Traditional powerhouses like Japan, the USA, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela return alongside rising programs and European qualifiers. The Czech Republic (Czechia) makes another appearance, continuing its growth in international competition.
Fans can expect star-studded lineups featuring current MLB All-Stars, international league standouts, and emerging prospects representing their home countries—a rarity in professional baseball where club commitments typically take precedence.
Read also: World Baseball Classic 2026 Schedule: Printable PDF Guide
March 2026: Your Month-by-Month Breakdown
Since the entire tournament occurs within March 2026, let’s break down the critical dates and must-watch matchups week by week.
Opening Week (March 5–11): Pool Play Begins
Thursday, March 5 – Tournament Opens in Tokyo
The first pitch of the 2026 World Baseball Classic flies at 5:00 AM ET when the Czech Republic faces South Korea at Tokyo Dome (FS1). This Pool C opener sets the early pace, followed by Australia vs. Czech Republic later that evening at 10:00 PM ET. For West Coast U.S. fans, these Tokyo games offer late-night viewing, while East Coast audiences can catch them before the workday.
Friday, March 6 – All Four Pools in Action
The tournament explodes across all four venues. Japan vs. Chinese Taipei (5:00 AM ET, FS1) headlines the Tokyo morning before action shifts to the Americas. Team USA makes its debut against Brazil at Daikin Park in Houston (8:00 PM ET, FOX)—a primetime showcase for the American squad. Simultaneously, pool games unfold in San Juan and Miami, giving bracket followers multiple viewing options. Mexico vs. Great Britain (1:00 PM ET, FS1, Houston) and Netherlands vs. Venezuela (12:00 PM ET, Tubi, Miami) add depth to the opening Friday slate.
Saturday, March 7 – Marquee Matchup Day
South Korea vs. Japan (5:00 AM ET, FS1) delivers the first heavyweight collision in Pool C—two teams with deep international pedigrees and passionate fanbases. Later, USA vs. Great Britain (8:00 PM ET, FOX) gives Team USA another primetime window. The day features eight total games across four venues, making it one of the most packed days on the World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule.
Sunday, March 8 – Positioning Games
Australia vs. Japan (6:00 AM ET, FS1) and Netherlands vs. Dominican Republic (12:00 PM ET, FOX, Miami) carry major pool-standing implications. Brazil vs. Mexico (8:00 PM ET, FS1, Houston) could determine which teams advance from Pool B. With seven games scheduled, Sunday becomes a “couch day” for serious WBC fans.
Monday, March 9 – Crucial Pool Deciders Begin
Korea vs. Australia, USA vs. Mexico (8:00 PM ET, FOX), and several San Juan/Miami matchups start clarifying which teams will reach the quarterfinals. USA vs. Mexico at Daikin Park carries enormous stakes—both teams need wins to secure top-two finishes in Pool B.
Tuesday, March 10 – Final Pool Stretch
Czech Republic vs. Japan (6:00 AM ET, FS1) and Italy vs. USA (9:00 PM ET, FS1, Houston) represent last chances for teams fighting for qualification. The Italy-USA game could determine Pool B’s final standings, especially if both teams enter with winning records.
Wednesday, March 11 – Pool Play Finale
The last pool games resolve all group standings. Canada vs. Cuba (3:00 PM ET, FS2, San Juan), Italy vs. Mexico (7:00 PM ET, Tubi, Houston), and Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela (8:00 PM ET, FS1, Miami) close out round-robin play. By night’s end, the eight quarterfinalists are set.
Knockout Stage (March 13–17): Win or Go Home
Friday, March 13 – Quarterfinals Begin
Two quarterfinal matchups kick off the single-elimination bracket. One game at loanDepot park in Miami (6:30 PM ET, FS2) and another at Daikin Park in Houston (8:00 PM ET, FOX) narrow the field from eight to six. Teams that dominated their pools now face sudden-death pressure.
Saturday, March 14 – Quarterfinals Conclude
The remaining two quarterfinals—one in Houston (3:00 PM ET, FS1) and one in Miami (9:00 PM ET, FOX)—determine the final four. Expect close games and strategic pitching decisions as managers juggle star arms for potential semifinal appearances.
Sunday, March 15 – Semifinal 1
The first semifinal at loanDepot park (8:00 PM ET, FS1) matches quarterfinal winners in a rematch of baseball’s elite. Rotation depth and bullpen management become critical; teams can’t save arms for tomorrow if they lose tonight.
Monday, March 16 – Semifinal 2
The second semifinal (8:00 PM ET, FS1, loanDepot park) sets the championship matchup. Back-to-back elimination nights build tension as nations move within one win of the trophy.
Tuesday, March 17 – Championship Game
The 2026 World Baseball Classic concludes with the final at loanDepot park (8:00 PM ET, FOX). One game. One champion. Winner takes the title of best baseball nation on the planet.
Your Printable PDF Download Guide
Want a physical World Baseball Classic bracket 2026 printable PDF to mark up, post on your wall, or carry to viewing parties? Here’s how to get one:
Option 1: Official MLB/WBC Download
Visit the official World Baseball Classic website or MLB.com’s WBC section. Look for “Schedule” or “Printable Bracket” links. Many tournament pages offer downloadable PDF graphics showing the bracket structure, game times, and TV channels. Use your browser’s built-in print function (File → Print → Save as PDF) if a direct download isn’t available.
Option 2: Create Your Own Custom Printable
Copy the schedule data from the official WBC schedule page into a Google Doc or Microsoft Word document. Format it as a clean table with columns for Date, Matchup, Time (ET), Venue, and TV Network. Adjust font sizes for readability, then export as PDF (Google Docs: File → Download → PDF Document; Word: File → Save As → PDF). Label it “World Baseball Classic 2026 Schedule – Printable” for easy retrieval.
Pro Tip: Include blank columns for “Winner” and “Notes” so you can hand-write results and standout performances as the tournament progresses. This turns your printable into a personalized bracket experience.
Broadcasting & Streaming: Where to Watch
The 2026 World Baseball Classic airs primarily on FOX and FS1 in the United States, with additional games on FS2, Tubi, and FOX streaming apps. International broadcasters vary by region—check your local listings. The championship game receives the premium FOX primetime slot on March 17, ensuring maximum viewership for the finale.
Conclusion
The World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule packs elite international baseball into a thrilling 13-day sprint from March 5–17. With pool play spanning Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami, and knockout rounds converging on Miami’s loanDepot park, this tournament delivers non-stop action for fans worldwide. Whether you print an official bracket PDF, create your own downloadable schedule, or simply bookmark the MLB/WBC schedule page, having verified game times and TV listings ensures you don’t miss the moments that define international baseball’s premier event.
Mark your calendars, set your alarms for those early Tokyo starts, and prepare for back-to-back weekends of elimination drama. The next World Baseball Classic champion will be crowned March 17, 2026.
FAQ
1. Where can I download an official World Baseball Classic 2026 bracket printable PDF?
Visit the official World Baseball Classic website or MLB.com’s WBC section and look for “Schedule” or “Printable Bracket” links. You can also use your browser’s print-to-PDF function (File → Print → Save as PDF) on the schedule page to create your own printable version. Last verified February 14, 2026.
2. What are the World Baseball Classic groups 2026, and where do they play?
The tournament features four pools: Pool A at Hiram Bithorn Stadium (San Juan, Puerto Rico), Pool B at Daikin Park (Houston, Texas), Pool C at Tokyo Dome (Tokyo, Japan), and Pool D at loanDepot park (Miami, Florida). The top two teams from each pool advance to the quarterfinals.
3. Which networks broadcast the World Baseball Classic 2026 in the United States?
FOX and FS1 serve as primary broadcasters, with additional coverage on FS2, Tubi, and FOX streaming platforms. The championship game airs on FOX in primetime on March 17. Specific game assignments are listed on the official schedule—check before each matchup to confirm your viewing options.
4. How do I create a printable World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule I can hang on my wall?
Copy the official schedule into a document (Google Docs or Microsoft Word), format it as a clean table with Date, Time, Teams, Venue, and TV columns, then export as a PDF. Add blank columns for tracking winners and notes. Print on standard letter or legal-size paper for easy posting.
5. Are the quarterfinal and championship dates finalized?
Yes. Quarterfinals are scheduled for March 13–14 (split between Houston and Miami), semifinals for March 15–16 (both in Miami), and the championship for March 17 at loanDepot park in Miami. These dates are fixed; however, specific team matchups depend on pool play results. Always verify with the official schedule before making travel or ticket plans. Schedule last checked February 14, 2026.
