WBC Power Rankings: Can anyone prevent a USA-Japan rematch?
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Welcome to the 2026 World Baseball Classic power rankings, where we dissect the 20 teams participating in this year's international showcase. Which nation enters the March 5 opener as the world's best?
Jump to:
Australia I Brazil I Canada I Chinese Taipei I Colombia I Cuba I Czechia I Dominican Rep. I Great Britain I Israel I Italy I Japan I Mexico I Netherlands I Nicaragua I Panama I Puerto Rico I South Korea I United States I Venezuela
1. Japan
Just like in 2023, the reigning champions enter this tournament as the No. 1 team in the World Baseball Softball Confederation rankings. You could nitpick about Samurai Japan's slightly thinner pitching staff this time around, but they're not hurting for arms - even without Shohei Ohtani on the mound. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, fresh off his iconic World Series performance, leads the staff alongside Hiromi Itoh, the reigning Sawamura Award winner (Japan's Cy Young equivalent). The lineup also blends NPB superstars such as Teruaki Sato, Kensuke Kondoh, and Shugo Maki with MLB bats like Ohtani, Seiya Suzuki, Munetaka Murakami, and Kazuma Okamoto. Samurai Japan is the model for international baseball excellence, and they're the kings of the WBC until they say otherwise.
2. United States
Manager Mark DeRosa and general manager Michael Hill built what's easily the best group of American baseball players ever assembled. The pitching staff is deep and versatile, designed to navigate this tournament's unique rules. Ditto for the position players, with role players Ernie Clement and Brice Turang broadening the scope of what this star-studded lineup can do overall. On paper, the U.S. is probably the best team, but let's hold off on the coronation. DeRosa has to show that he's grown as a manager and learned from several in-game blunders - most notably bullpen mismanagement - that contributed to Team USA's loss in 2023. Tarik Skubal's decision to pitch in just one game (and the U.S. allowing him to do that) has renewed questions about whether the Americans are taking this tournament seriously. Star power doesn't automatically grant you the top spot. This squad still has to earn it.
3. Dominican Republic
The Dominicans' star-studded roster is under immense pressure following their humiliating early exit in 2023, but that was a severely flawed and older team that lacked pitching depth. This year, Fernando Tatis Jr., Junior Caminero, Geraldo Perdomo, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are here to aid returning stars Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez, Manny Machado, and Ketel Marte. The improved rotation now features Cristopher Sánchez and Luis Severino alongside a revitalized Sandy Alcantara. Although Albert Pujols' squad is rightfully the Pool D favorite and a title contender, his players can't get caught looking ahead to the blockbuster round-robin finale against Venezuela. A March 8 date with the Netherlands looms as a trap game the Dominicans must win to avoid another disaster.
4. Venezuela
Even without Jose Altuve, this Venezuelan team is going to hit. Jackson Chourio, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Luis Arraez will set the table for the Contreras brothers, Eugenio Suárez, Salvador Perez, and Gleyber Torres. The real question is whether any of Venezuela's arms besides Ranger Suárez can step up. The team has already lost No. 2 starter Pablo López to injury, and Germán Márquez opted out, while Eduardo Rodriguez isn't the pitcher he used to be. Venezuela will have to start at least two wild cards - Antonio Senzatela, Yoendrys Gómez, Keider Montero, KBO ace Enmanuel De Jesus, or Mexican League star Ricardo Sánchez - in pool play and cross its fingers. Those five hurlers and others will also be key in "bulk" roles due to WBC pitching rules. Expectations are high for Venezuela after its quarterfinal run in 2023, and it's time for this nation to take the next step. The pitching just has to cooperate.
5. Mexico
Mexico made a statement three years ago, winning its pool with a decisive victory over the rival Americans before pushing Japan to the limit in an epic semifinal. The result marked the best performance in the national team's long history and sent the world a message that Mexico is no longer a dark horse. Benji Gil's 2026 team features 20 big-leaguers, highlighted by Randy Arozarena and Jarren Duran in the outfield and Alejandro Kirk, who missed the 2023 tournament, behind the plate. While there are a few potential question marks on the mound, the staff doesn't lack experience. Late leads should also be safe in the hands of all-world closer Andrés Muñoz. Mexico has all the ingredients to make another deep run.
6. South Korea
Could this finally be the year South Korea rights the ship? This international baseball powerhouse has struggled in the WBC, failing to advance past the first round in each of the last three tournaments. The key game for South Korea will be against Australia. Losing to the Australians in the 2023 opener ultimately sealed South Korea's fate in that tourney, and that result can't happen again. Its roster features a ton of domestic talent from the KBO, plus seven players from the majors, including three Korean-Americans. However, this team will feel the effects of the injuries to Braves infielder Ha-Seong Kim and new Padres acquisition Sung-Mun Song.
7. Chinese Taipei
Chinese Taipei enters as the world's No. 2 squad in the WBSC rankings, having upset Samurai Japan to win the prestigious Premier12 tournament in 2024. Still, that success has yet to translate to the WBC. Three years ago, Chinese Taipei finished last in Pool A after some convoluted tiebreakers and was forced to re-qualify for the 2026 tournament. This time, however, the team has the talent not only to avoid that fate again but also to reach the quarterfinals. Its roster is headlined by some of the best from Taiwan's domestic league, including ex-Red Sox infielders Yu Chang and Tzu-Wei Lin, plus rising Tigers prospect Hao-Yu Lee and Guardians outfielder Stuart Fairchild, who's representing his mother's birth nation. But Chinese Taipei must beat one of Japan or South Korea, if not both, to have a true shot at advancing.
8. Canada
A friendly placement in Pool A, far away from longtime rivals/roadblocks Mexico and the U.S., could be just what the Canucks needed. Despite missing Freddie Freeman, you could still argue that Canada boasts Pool A's best lineup. Tyler O'Neill, Josh Naylor, Edouard Julien, and Owen Caissie are all big-league bats, while Matt Davidson adds extra right-handed pop, having hit 82 homers in the KBO over the last two seasons. On the mound, starters Jameson Taillon and Michael Soroka give longtime national team skipper Ernie Whitt a solid one-two punch. Canada has all the pieces to make a run, but no team has specialized in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory at the WBC quite like the Canadians have over the years. This is the perfect chance to change the narrative.
9. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's biggest storylines revolve around who isn't here. Captain Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javier Báez - key members from the 2023 squad that reached the quarterfinals - won't be at the tournament for reasons ranging from insurance issues to suspensions for a banned substance (marijuana). Still, it would be unfair to call this a "B" team. Star closer Edwin Díaz is back on the roster after a gruesome leg injury marred the 2023 WBC, and Nolan Arenado has also hopped aboard. They're joined by a group of big-league bats that include MJ Melendez, Willi Castro, and Heliot Ramos, along with intriguing Yankees pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez. Puerto Rico also has a distinct home-field advantage as the host of Pool A in San Juan. Stars or not, this club will make its presence felt.
10. Cuba
For just the second time in WBC history, Cuba will field a roster mixing MLB-affiliated players, stars from the baseball-mad country's domestic league, and professionals who play in Japan and Mexico. This year's team includes nine MLB-affiliated players, though Angels second baseman Yoán Moncada is the only one who's currently on a 40-man roster, adding an air of mystery to the team. On the mound, Cuba potentially boasts Pool A's best starter - Lívan Moinelo, the reigning MVP of Japan's Pacific League - and top closer - Raidel Martínez, who has compiled a 0.91 ERA across the last four NPB seasons. National team legend Alfredo Despaigne is also back to anchor the lineup. With quarterfinal appearances in all five previous WBCs, including a 2023 semifinal run, expectations remain high.
11. Netherlands
Long the kings of European baseball, the Netherlands boasts a talented blend of players from Holland, Aruba, and Curaçao who can easily send a Pool D powerhouse home early. Manager Andruw Jones' infield features three proven big-league bats in Xander Bogaerts, Ozzie Albies, and Didi Gregorius (who's spent the last few years in Mexico), while defensive wizard Ceddanne Rafaela adds an anchor in the outfield. Pitching is a question mark, though, with fewer recognizable names outside of Kenley Jansen. Still, this program has a history of WBC success, including two semifinal appearances and the most famous upset in tournament history. Sleep on the Dutch at your own peril.
12. Italy
Italy comes into this tournament eager to prove that 2023's stunning run to the quarterfinals was no fluke. The Azzuri are Pool B's third-best squad by a wide margin, and proven veterans Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen have joined a pitching staff that includes Angels rookie Sam Aldegheri, who's just the second born-and-raised Italian player in MLB history. Royals teammates Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone also anchor what should be a plucky offense that has the potential to surprise. However, guiding Italy back to the quarters will be a tall order for manager Francisco Cervelli, as his team will likely have to upset both the U.S. and Mexico to do so.
13. Panama
Panama has quietly produced some quality talent over the last few years and now has a chance to show how far it's come on the international stage. The team features a slew of recognizable names, including Edmundo Sosa, José Caballero, Miguel Amaya, Johan Camargo, and ex-Met Rubén Tejada, who's now this squad's elder statesman. But the absence of Cardinals catcher Iván Herrera, forced out because of insurance issues, is a huge blow to a Panama squad that desperately needed his power.
14. Colombia
Though Colombia had to re-qualify for this tournament after losing a tiebreaker in 2023, this team can certainly pull off an upset. Three years ago, Colombia stunned Mexico and then nearly beat the Americans in a one-run contest. This year's roster is stronger, led by ace Jose Quintana, who missed the 2023 tournament due to injury. Other members with big-league experience include catchers Jorge Alfaro and Elias Díaz, right-hander Julio Teheran, and infielder Donovan Solano. While it would be foolish to write off Colombia entirely, it's clearly the weakest team in Pool A and will once again have to punch above its weight to stay afloat.
15. Australia
Australian baseball has come a long way in recent years. First, there was the Aussies' shocking run to the 2023 WBC quarterfinals, followed by the Guardians choosing Travis Bazzana first overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. Bazzana is the headliner on a roster that includes a few players with MLB or KBO experience but is largely made up of talent from the Australian Baseball League. Although Australia is capable of turning Pool C upside down again, doing so in 2026 won't be as easy. The Aussies don't have the Chinese to beat up on this time, which means they'll have to overcome at least one of Japan, South Korea, or Chinese Taipei to have a shot at advancing. That's a tall order for any team, let alone one that's a clear underdog despite the program's overall growth.
16. Great Britain
Great Britain won't sneak up on anyone anymore after it shockingly avoided relegation in 2023. Strengthened by a surprisingly large number of big-league talent on its roster thanks to the Commonwealth's scope, this team looks stronger than ever. The lineup will get a boost from Bahamian Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s presence after he declined to play in 2023, and captain Harry Ford has more experience under his belt following his breakout performance three years ago. While not the minnows of Pool B, Great Britain advancing out of a very difficult group would be genuinely shocking. But even if it falls short, making some noise against the group's giants and avoiding relegation again would have to be considered a success and could help grow the sport at the grassroots level in the British Isles.
17. Israel
Israel has its hands full after drawing the Dominican Republic and Venezuela in pool play again - two teams that combined to outscore Israel 15-1 three years ago. Granted, this is a better roster than in 2023, featuring established big-leaguers Harrison Bader, Spencer Horwitz, Tommy Kahnle, and Dean Kremer, who's the first Israeli citizen ever to reach the majors. Kremer will likely face Venezuela in the opening game, potentially giving Israel a fighting chance against one powerhouse. Still, a major problem remains: The lineup is heavily left-handed, which could allow opponents to line up their pitching and gain the matchup advantage.
18. Nicaragua
Nicaragua bounced back from relegation in 2023 with an impressive undefeated run in last spring's qualifier, but now the hard work begins. The team struggled in its last meetings against Venezuela and the Dominican Republic, going winless and being outscored 22-4. Drawing the powerhouses again in its group, Nicaragua has a difficult mountain to climb. The country's fate will likely come down to its matchup against Israel, which beat the Central American nation in a de facto win-or-be-relegated game three years ago. Legendary manager Dusty Baker has come out of retirement to guide this squad, and perhaps he can help Nicaragua find a little underdog magic. A roster featuring just two big-leaguers will need it.
19. Brazil
Brazil is back in the WBC for the first time since 2013 after upsetting Germany in the qualifiers. The squad faces a daunting opening matchup against Team USA and will be without Bo Bichette, who was originally slated to play alongside his brother, Dante Jr., but ended up staying in the Mets' camp. This Brazilian team is so young that its bullpen includes 17-year-old Vanderbilt commit Joseph Contreras, son of ex-White Sox All-Star José Contreras. The few minor-league prospects Brazil does have - including 19-year-old Angels outfielder Lucas Ramírez (yes, that's Manny's kid) - are almost all playing at the lower levels and are years away from the majors.
20. Czechia
Three years after stealing the baseball world's hearts, the semi-pro Czechs are back for more at the WBC. Except for ex-Orioles infielder Terrin Vavra, Czechia's team consists solely of players from the Czech Extraliga who also hold day jobs. Manager Pavel Chadim is a neurologist, pitcher Ondřej Satoria - who gained fame by striking out Shohei Ohtani three years ago - works as an electrician, and left-hander Lukáš Ercoli doubles as the team's communications director. Despite being the weakest club at the tournament, the Czechs proved their fighting spirit in 2023 when they briefly led against Japan. Just being on this stage again is sure to grow baseball's profile in Czechia further.