The 2026 World Baseball Classic gets one of its marquee games on Monday when the United States takes on rival Mexico. Both teams are 2-0 in Pool B.
In the WBC’s first game on Monday, South Korea beat Australia 7-2 to reach the quarterfinals from Pool C. That gave South Korea a 2-2 record in pool play, identical to Australia and Chinese Taipei — and South Korea’s seventh run against the Aussies swung the run-quotient tiebreaker in their favor.
Shohei Ohtani and Japan secured a berth in the quarterfinals with a 4-3 victory over Australia on Sunday.
This year marks the sixth iteration of the international baseball tournament, with Japan the reigning champion after defeating Team USA 3-2 in the 2023 final.
The Americans have taken home one WBC title, back in 2017, and they’re looking for a second with a loaded roster that includes 22 MLB All-Stars — the most of any roster in the tournament. Among those who will represent Team USA are Paul Skenes, Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge, just to name a few of the stars, with the U.S. entering the tournament as the favorite (-105) over Japan (+350) at BetMGM.
During pool play, games will be played in Tokyo, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Miami and Houston. The pool stage runs through March 11, followed by the quarterfinals (March 13 and 14) and semifinals (March 15 and 16). It all culminates with the WBC final on March 17, which will be played at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Games will air across Fox, FS1, FS2 and Fox Deportes, with streaming for all games available with a Fox One subscription.
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news and updates from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:45 AM PDTIan CasselberryThe Dominican Republic has taken a 5-0 lead over Israel during a disastrous second inning for pitcher Ryan Prager.The left-hander walked Manny Machado, Carlos Santana and Oneil Cruz to load the bases, then walked Geraldo Perdomo to bring in a run. Four pitches later, Fernando Tatis Jr. cleared the bases with a grand slam.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:11 AM PDTYahoo Sports StaffSouth Korea closed out Australia in the ninth inning to win 7-2 and advance to the WBC quarterfinals for the first time since 2009 — thanks to a run-quotient tiebreaker in Pool C.South Korea’s seventh run in the ninth inning gave them the tiebreaker. They join Japan in the quarterfinals.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:06 AM PDTYahoo Sports StaffSouth Korea scratched across another run in the top of the ninth inning after Australia looked primed to close out the game and reach the quarterfinals.Jung Ho Lee hit what looked like would be a game-ending double play, but Aussie reliever Jack O'Loughlin deflected the grounder then shortstop Jarryd Dale threw the ball into right field for an error while trying to get the force out at second.That set up runners at first and third with one out, and Hyun Min Ahn hit a sacrifice fly to make it 7-2. That swung the run-quotient tiebreaker back in South Korea’s favor.If South Korea holds Australia scoreless in the ninth, it will reach the quarterfinals.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:46 AM PDTYahoo Sports StaffTravis Bazzana drove in Max Durrington with a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth inning to cut Australia’s deficit to 6-2.That didn’t seem like much — except with the run-quotient tiebreaker in play, the Aussies are now in position to take Pool C’s second quarterfinal berth.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:01 AM PDTYahoo Sports StaffAustralia finally got its first run on a lead-off homer in the bottom of the fifth inning, but still has to dig out of a big hole.Bo Gyeong Moon, who has been one of the top hitters in the WBC, has had a run-scoring double and single to go along with his earlier two-run homer to give South Korea a commanding lead. He drove in all but one of South Korea’s first five runs and needs only a triple to complete the cycle.South Korea added another run on a two-out single and now leads 6-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 3:45 AM PDTYahoo Sports StaffBo Gyeong Moon stakes South Korea to an early 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the top of the second inning.It is Moon’s second homer of the WBC.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 3:34 AM PDTYahoo Sports StaffAfter a scoreless first inning, Australia will claim the second quarterfinal berth from Pool C with a victory over South Korea.Japan haa already secured a spot in the quarterfinals. If South Korea wins, there will be a three-way tie for the second quarterfinal berth with South Korea, Australia and Chinese Taipei each at 2-2 (and 1-1 against the other tied teams).Here’s the rules for the three-team tiebreaker:The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the lowest quotient of fewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games in that round between the teams tied.The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the lowest quotient of fewest earned runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games in that round between the teams tied.The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the highest batting average in games in that round between the teams tied.Standings shall be determined by the drawing of lots, conducted by WBCI.
- The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the lowest quotient of fewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games in that round between the teams tied.
- The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the lowest quotient of fewest earned runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games in that round between the teams tied.
- The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the highest batting average in games in that round between the teams tied.
- Standings shall be determined by the drawing of lots, conducted by WBCI.
- Mon, March 9, 2026 at 3:10 AM PDTYahoo Sports StaffHere’s Monday’s schedule of games and where to watch:6 a.m.: Australia vs. South Korea (FS1) Noon: Israel vs. Dominican Republic (FS1) Noon: Panama vs. Colombia (FS2) 1 p.m.: Great Britain vs. Brazil (Tubi)7 p.m.: Puerto Rico vs. Cuba (FS1) 7 p.m.: Nicaragua vs. Venezuela (FS2)8 p.m.: U.S. vs. Mexico (Fox)
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 8:42 PM PDTRyan YoungCanada’s rally came up short.Canada, after falling into a two-run hole on Sunday night in Puerto Rico, cut their game with Panama back to a single run after a huge RBI double from Owen Caissie in the eighth inning.But that was as close to catching the Panamanians as the Canadians got. Panama, after another rain delay hit in the ninth inning, held on to grab a 4-3 win to end the night.That marked its first win so far in group play, and dropped Canada to 1-1.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 8:15 PM PDTJason OwensNow there’s another rain delay with two outs in the top of the ninth between Canada and Panama in San Juan.Panama has a 4-3 lead and is batting with no men on. Canada’s due up in the bottom of the inning, trailing by one, for now — if they get back to playing baseball tonight.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 7:38 PM PDTRyan YoungAnd that’ll do it for Mexico. Julian Ornelas just ended their game with Brazil with a two-run shot in the sixth inning. That lifted them to the 16-0 blowout win.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 7:04 PM PDTJason OwensIsrael handed Nicaragua a 5-0 defeat on Sunday, sending Nicaragua to 0-3 in pool play and eliminating it from the knockout round.With the win, Israel picks up its first win of the event to improve to 1-1.Zach Levenson helped blow the game open in the bottom of the fifth inning. The St. Louis Cardinals prospect took the plate with the bases loaded and one out. He delivered a line drive to right field to plate two runs and double Israel’s lead to 4-0.Israel’s pitching, meanwhile, limited Nicaragua to two hits.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 6:58 PM PDTRyan YoungMexico just had a no-hitter broken up, but it’s not going to have any issues getting past Brazil tonight. Mexico — after more than three hitless innings rom Taijuan Walker, is up 11-0 on Brazil now in the fifth inning in Houston.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 2:44 PM PDTJason OwensItaly faced pressure from Great Britain after entering the ninth inning with a 7-4 lead.Great Britain loaded the bases with a single and two walks, sending catcher Harry Ford to the plate as the go-ahead run with two outs. Ford made good contact on a Greg Weissert breaking ball with a line drive to left field.But Dante Nori was there to make the catch for the final out of the game to secure Italy’s 7-4 win.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 12:19 PM PDTIan CasselberryAfter taking a 4-1 lead in the first inning, Cuba added three runs in the seventh. Yiddi Cappe hit a 2-run triple aided by a misplay in left field by Harold Ramírez.Cuba improved to 2-0 in Pool A and will face Puerto Rico on Monday night.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 12:06 PM PDTIan CasselberryGreat Britain is on the verge of going 0-3 in pool play. Italy boosted its lead to 5-2 in the fourth inning with an RBI single from Andrew Fischer, a run-scoring double by Miles Mastrobuoni and Dante Nori driving in a run with a single.In the fifth, Sam Antonacci drove in another run with a triple. He then scored on a throwing error by Jazz Chisholm Jr.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 11:40 AM PDTIan CasselberryMercy! Juan Soto’s two-run homer gives the Dominican Republic a 12-1 walkoff win over the Netherlands in seven innings.Juan Carlos Sulbaran retired Erik González and Junior Lake to begin the bottom of the seventh. Then he walked Ketel Marte after getting ahead on him 0-2.Soto needed only one pitch to finish the game, as Sulbaran hung a slider in the middle of the strike zone. With that blast, the DR improves to 2-0 in Pool D play.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 11:08 AM PDTIan CasselberryLooking for its first win in Pool B play, Great Britain took a 2-0 lead with Nate Eaton and Jazz Chisholm Jr. each scoring on wild pitches from Dylan DeLucia.But Italy tied the game in the third on back-to-back homers from Andrew Fischer and J.J. D'Orazio off pitcher Owen Wild.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 11:02 AM PDTIan CasselberryThe Dominican Republic added six runs to their lead in the sixth inning, beginning with a 3-run home run from Junior Caminero.The blast was Caminero’s second of the World Baseball Classic.Julio Rodriguez then drew a walk and Austin Wells followed up with a 2-run shot.Ketel Marte added one more run with a sacrifice fly to give the DR a 10-1 lead.
- Sun, March 8, 2026 at 10:12 AM PDTIan CasselberryIt’s been the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. show in Miami so far. After driving in the Dominican Republic’s first run, he followed up with a 2-run homer in the third for a 4-1 lead.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 9:45 AM PDT
The Dominican Republic has taken a 5-0 lead over Israel during a disastrous second inning for pitcher Ryan Prager.
The left-hander walked Manny Machado, Carlos Santana and Oneil Cruz to load the bases, then walked Geraldo Perdomo to bring in a run. Four pitches later, Fernando Tatis Jr. cleared the bases with a grand slam.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:11 AM PDT
South Korea closed out Australia in the ninth inning to win 7-2 and advance to the WBC quarterfinals for the first time since 2009 — thanks to a run-quotient tiebreaker in Pool C.
South Korea’s seventh run in the ninth inning gave them the tiebreaker. They join Japan in the quarterfinals.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 6:06 AM PDT
South Korea scratched across another run in the top of the ninth inning after Australia looked primed to close out the game and reach the quarterfinals.
Jung Ho Lee hit what looked like would be a game-ending double play, but Aussie reliever Jack O'Loughlin deflected the grounder then shortstop Jarryd Dale threw the ball into right field for an error while trying to get the force out at second.
That set up runners at first and third with one out, and Hyun Min Ahn hit a sacrifice fly to make it 7-2. That swung the run-quotient tiebreaker back in South Korea’s favor.
If South Korea holds Australia scoreless in the ninth, it will reach the quarterfinals.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:46 AM PDT
Travis Bazzana drove in Max Durrington with a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth inning to cut Australia’s deficit to 6-2.
That didn’t seem like much — except with the run-quotient tiebreaker in play, the Aussies are now in position to take Pool C’s second quarterfinal berth.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 5:01 AM PDT
Australia finally got its first run on a lead-off homer in the bottom of the fifth inning, but still has to dig out of a big hole.
Bo Gyeong Moon, who has been one of the top hitters in the WBC, has had a run-scoring double and single to go along with his earlier two-run homer to give South Korea a commanding lead. He drove in all but one of South Korea’s first five runs and needs only a triple to complete the cycle.
South Korea added another run on a two-out single and now leads 6-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 3:45 AM PDT
Bo Gyeong Moon stakes South Korea to an early 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the top of the second inning.
It is Moon’s second homer of the WBC.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 3:34 AM PDT
After a scoreless first inning, Australia will claim the second quarterfinal berth from Pool C with a victory over South Korea.
Japan haa already secured a spot in the quarterfinals. If South Korea wins, there will be a three-way tie for the second quarterfinal berth with South Korea, Australia and Chinese Taipei each at 2-2 (and 1-1 against the other tied teams).
Here’s the rules for the three-team tiebreaker:
- The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the lowest quotient of fewest runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games in that round between the teams tied.
- The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the lowest quotient of fewest earned runs allowed divided by the number of defensive outs recorded in the games in that round between the teams tied.
- The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the highest batting average in games in that round between the teams tied.
- Standings shall be determined by the drawing of lots, conducted by WBCI.
The tied teams shall be ranked in the standings according to the highest batting average in games in that round between the teams tied.
Standings shall be determined by the drawing of lots, conducted by WBCI.
Mon, March 9, 2026 at 3:10 AM PDT
Here’s Monday’s schedule of games and where to watch:
6 a.m.: Australia vs. South Korea (FS1) Noon: Israel vs. Dominican Republic (FS1) Noon: Panama vs. Colombia (FS2) 1 p.m.: Great Britain vs. Brazil (Tubi)7 p.m.: Puerto Rico vs. Cuba (FS1) 7 p.m.: Nicaragua vs. Venezuela (FS2)8 p.m.: U.S. vs. Mexico (Fox)
