Story byLou LandersFri, February 13, 2026 at 11:45 AM UTC·2 min readThe World Baseball Classic returns in 2026 as international baseball’s premier showdown, bringing together the sport’s biggest stars and proudest baseball nations for a global battle for supremacy. Held every few years, the tournament has grown into one of the most electric events in the sport, blending national pride with Major League Baseball talent on the world stage. MORE: Norway skier goes viral after displaying insane Winter Olympics speedAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe most recent WBC:Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan designated hitter and closing pitcher Shohei Ohtani (16) and Japan catcher Yuhei Nakamura (27) and team Japan celebrate defeating the USA in the World Baseball Classic at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY SportsFollowing the dramatic 2023 championship won by the Japan national baseball team, expectations are sky-high for another unforgettable tournament.