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Japan draw Australia and Korea as World Baseball Classic reveals pools for 2026 edition

Shohei Ohtani and his teammates celebrate winning the World Baseball Classic for Japan in 2023
Shohei Ohtani and his teammates celebrate winning the World Baseball Classic for Japan in 2023Shuhei Yokoyama / Yomiuri / The Yomiuri Shimbun via AFP
Reigning World Baseball Classic (WBC) champions Japan will face the likes of South Korea and Australia in pool play after the groups for the 2026 edition were released on Wednesday.

Japan, led by Major League Baseball’s Most Valuable Player, Shohei Ohtani, will start their defence at home in Tokyo as, alongside Korea and Australia, the Czech Republic as well as Chinese Taipei will all clash in Pool C.

The winner and runner-up of that pool will then head to the United States for the knockout rounds. Miami will host the majority of the knockout games, as well as Pool D, which sees big hitters Venezuela and Dominican Republic face Israel, Nicaragua and the Netherlands.

Houston will also play host to one of the pools, where the star talent of the United States will face their neighbours from the south, Mexico, along with Great Britain, Italy and Brazil.

In Pool A, there will be a party atmosphere in Puerto Rico, where they will welcome Cuba, Canada, Panama and Colombia to town.

It is likely that we will have a repeat of the 2023 final between Japan and the USA. It would give the tournament a chance to recreate one of the most iconic moments in its history as Ohtani wrapped up the title in the ninth inning by striking out then teammate Mike Trout - another former MVP.

Pool play will begin in Tokyo from March 5th, whilst the final will be held in Miami on March 17th.

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