<p>The sixth iteration of the World Baseball Classic will commence in March 2026, with the countries making up the four pools finalized today. Canada will play in a competitive Pool A, which may just be the hardest to predict of the tournament. The other teams in the pool will consist of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, and Panama.</p>
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="“web-content-promocard&quot;"></div>
<p>The toughest matchups for Canada will undoubtedly be Puerto Rico and Cuba, who rank 9th and 10th among WBSC rankings, respectively (Canada ranks 22nd). In February, I pondered <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/a-way-too-early-look-at-canadas-potential-2026-world-baseball-classic-roster">what Canada&#8217;s roster might look</a> like come next March. Let&#8217;s take a look at what each of the four other nations may bring to the table.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here are your finalized pools and schedule for the 2026 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldBaseballClassic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldBaseballClassic</a>.</p>
<p>The Championship Game will be played March 17, 2026 at loanDepot Park in Miami.</p>
<p>Full ticketing information for the 2026 tournament is available at <a href="https://t.co/h4Fi0dLx07">https://t.co/h4Fi0dLx07</a>. <a href="https://t.co/t8q8Nopf4k">pic.twitter.com/t8q8Nopf4k</a></p>
<p>&mdash; World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) <a href="https://twitter.com/WBCBaseball/status/1909985459012350015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3>Puerto Rico</h3>
<p>Assuming they have similar participation, Puerto Rico boasts a roster full of major league talent, led by New York Mets superstar Francisco Lindor.</p>
<p>Longtime big leaguers Carlos Correa, Javy Baez, and Eddie Rosario will also likely be on the squad in some capacity, with a trio of formidable catchers in Christian Vasquez, Martin Maldonado, and MJ Melendez. On the pitching side, José Berríos will likely return as the country&#8217;s top starting pitcher, joined by Marcus Stroman, with Edwin Diaz perhaps available to close out games. Diaz suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2023 WBC, something that could potentially lead to him skipping the tournament this time around.</p>
<p>Newcomers to the team could include Riley Greene and Tristan Casas, who are both eligible through their parents.</p>
<h3>Cuba</h3>
<p>There are many talented players from Cuba, but the big question will be how many end up participating in the tournament. <a href="https://cubanbaseballdigest.com/2025/03/11/andy-pages-to-play-with-cuba-in-the-wbc-and-others-on-the-horizon-for-cuba/">Andy Pages</a> has committed to playing for the nation, while Ernesto Martínez Jr, Andy Ibáñez, and Yoan Moncada have also confirmed their interest. Luis Robert was on the 2023 squad and could return.</p>
<p>Names like Yordan Alvarez, Adolis Garcia, Randy Arozorena, and Yandy Diaz would be welcome additions, although none of those four hitters were part of the 2023 WBC. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and his brother Yuli are options as well.</p>
<p>Blue Jays right-hander Yariel Rodriguez will likely compete again in 2026, and they have a chance to have a lights-out bullpen if some or all of Yennier Cano, Raisiel Iglesias, Adrian Morejon, and Aroldis Chapman participate. If there is a weakness on paper for Cuba, it may be their starting pitching, as Nestor Cortes appears to be their best option to start games while the nation relies mostly on arms that are still playing in Cuba.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Colombia 🇨🇴 will be in Group A in Puerto Rico for the VI World Baseball Classic, which will be held in San Juan from March 6-11, 2026.</p>
<p>“Group of Death” in the upcoming WBC.</p>
<p>•Cuba 🇨🇺<br />•Puerto Rico 🇵🇷<br />•Canada 🇨🇦<br />•Panama 🇵🇦<br />•Colombia 🇨🇴<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldBaseballClassic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldBaseballClassic</a> <a href="https://t.co/MDiKB1EvnC">pic.twitter.com/MDiKB1EvnC</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) <a href="https://twitter.com/francysromeroFR/status/1909988007085474226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h3>Panama</h3>
<p>Panama has the chance to be a sneaky good team, with a wealth of major league guys expected to participate.</p>
<p>Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera figures to be a big piece of the offense, with other guys like Edmundo Sosa, Jose Caballero, Miguel Amaya, and Leo Jimenez factoring into the lineup. They appear to be a bit lighter on the pitching side of things, with Justin Lawrence being the only notable big league pitcher hailing from Panama. This could be a fun team that could be a tough out during pool play.</p>
<h3>Colombia</h3>
<p>This will make the second straight WBC where Canada will face Colombia in pool play after beating them 5-0 in the 2023 WBC. The Colombian team may lack star power, but they should be able to field a roster filled with major league talent. Offensively, the inclusion of big league guys like Gio Urshela, Donovan Solano, Oscar Mercado, and Elias Diaz will give Colombia a formidable lineup. Pitching-wise, Jose Quintana and Julio Teheran figure to be the key starting pitchers, with right-hander Nabil Crismatt coming out of the bullpen.</p>
<hr />
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="324" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>


The sixth iteration of the World Baseball Classic will commence in March 2026, with the countries making up the four pools finalized today. Canada will play in a competitive Pool A, which may just be the hardest to predict of the tournament. The other teams in the pool will consist of Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, and Panama.
<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="330" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="“web-content-promocard&quot;"></div>
The toughest matchups for Canada will undoubtedly be Puerto Rico and Cuba, who rank 9th and 10th among WBSC rankings, respectively (Canada ranks 22nd). In February, I pondered <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/a-way-too-early-look-at-canadas-potential-2026-world-baseball-classic-roster">what Canada's roster might look</a> like come next March. Let's take a look at what each of the four other nations may bring to the table.

https://twitter.com/WBCBaseball/status/1909985459012350015
<h3>Puerto Rico</h3>
Assuming they have similar participation, Puerto Rico boasts a roster full of major league talent, led by New York Mets superstar Francisco Lindor.

Longtime big leaguers Carlos Correa, Javy Baez, and Eddie Rosario will also likely be on the squad in some capacity, with a trio of formidable catchers in Christian Vasquez, Martin Maldonado, and MJ Melendez. On the pitching side, José Berríos will likely return as the country's top starting pitcher, joined by Marcus Stroman, with Edwin Diaz perhaps available to close out games. Diaz suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 2023 WBC, something that could potentially lead to him skipping the tournament this time around.

Newcomers to the team could include Riley Greene and Tristan Casas, who are both eligible through their parents.
<h3>Cuba</h3>
There are many talented players from Cuba, but the big question will be how many end up participating in the tournament. <a href="https://cubanbaseballdigest.com/2025/03/11/andy-pages-to-play-with-cuba-in-the-wbc-and-others-on-the-horizon-for-cuba/">Andy Pages</a> has committed to playing for the nation, while Ernesto Martínez Jr, Andy Ibáñez, and Yoan Moncada have also confirmed their interest. Luis Robert was on the 2023 squad and could return.

Names like Yordan Alvarez, Adolis Garcia, Randy Arozorena, and Yandy Diaz would be welcome additions, although none of those four hitters were part of the 2023 WBC. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and his brother Yuli are options as well.

Blue Jays right-hander Yariel Rodriguez will likely compete again in 2026, and they have a chance to have a lights-out bullpen if some or all of Yennier Cano, Raisiel Iglesias, Adrian Morejon, and Aroldis Chapman participate. If there is a weakness on paper for Cuba, it may be their starting pitching, as Nestor Cortes appears to be their best option to start games while the nation relies mostly on arms that are still playing in Cuba.

https://twitter.com/francysromeroFR/status/1909988007085474226
<h3>Panama</h3>
Panama has the chance to be a sneaky good team, with a wealth of major league guys expected to participate.

Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera figures to be a big piece of the offense, with other guys like Edmundo Sosa, Jose Caballero, Miguel Amaya, and Leo Jimenez factoring into the lineup. They appear to be a bit lighter on the pitching side of things, with Justin Lawrence being the only notable big league pitcher hailing from Panama. This could be a fun team that could be a tough out during pool play.
<h3>Colombia</h3>
This will make the second straight WBC where Canada will face Colombia in pool play after beating them 5-0 in the 2023 WBC. The Colombian team may lack star power, but they should be able to field a roster filled with major league talent. Offensively, the inclusion of big league guys like Gio Urshela, Donovan Solano, Oscar Mercado, and Elias Diaz will give Colombia a formidable lineup. Pitching-wise, Jose Quintana and Julio Teheran figure to be the key starting pitchers, with right-hander Nabil Crismatt coming out of the bullpen.

<hr />

<div class="bam-inline-promotion" data-property-id="324" data-promotion-id="18983" data-context="web-content-promocard"></div>

A breakdown of Canada’s opponents as 2026 World Baseball Classic pools finalized

AL East Trade Deadline Grades: High scores all the way around, but Boston misses out on the fun

Did the Blue Jays do enough to improve at MLB trade deadline?

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) hits an RBI single against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Rogers Centre.

Recent articles from Chris Georges

Breaking News