After a three-year hiatus, the World Baseball Classic returns for the 2026 international tournament. The 2026 WBC will begin with pool play on March 5 and run through March 17, with the Championship taking place at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
Countries such as the Dominican Republic, Japan, and the United States have the best rosters as the tournament begins, loaded with plenty of MLB players, both current and former.
The Americans are led by Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes; Japan will lean on Shohei Ohtani's hitting and Yoshinobu Yamamoto's pitching; and many other teams are stacked with MLB talent.
Below, you'll find 2026 World Baseball Classic rosters, including a list of the MLB players on each roster at each position.
Let’s take a look at our WBC roster rankings and break down which teams have the top talent pools this year. Who is projected to win the WBC on PrizePicks Team Picks?
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2026 World Baseball Classic Rosters: Ranking Every Team
It's rare to see countries put together their best international baseball rosters; between the WBC and the Summer Olympics, we only see teams represent their countries in two events every four years.
Below, you'll find the rankings of every 2026 World Baseball Classic roster, with countries ranked from best to worst. We'll also break down the top five rosters in the World Baseball Classic, including the MLB players on each team.
- United States
- Japan
- Dominican Republic
- Venezuela
- Puerto Rico
- Mexico
- Korea
- Canada
- Italy
- Cuba
- Netherlands
- Colombia
- Israel
- Great Britain
- Panama
- Australia
- Chinese Taipei
- Nicaragua
- Brazil
- Czechia
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1. United States WBC Roster
United States Payout to Win 2026 WBC: Yes 1.85x ($100 pays out $185) | No 1.88x
United States Payout to Win Pool B: Yes 1.13x ($100 pays out $113) | No 5.26x
Payouts via PrizePicks Team Picks; live as of publishing, subject to change.
Pitchers: David Bednar (RP, Yankees), Matthew Boyd (SP, Cubs), Garrett Clevinger (RP, Rays), Clay Holmes (RP, Mets), Griffin Jax (RP, Rays), Brad Keller (RP, Phillies), Clayton Kershaw (SP, Dodgers), Nolan McLean (SP, Mets), Mason Miller (RP, Padres), Paul Skenes (SP, Pirates), Tarik Skubal (SP, Tigers), Gabe Speier (RP, Mariners), Michael Wacha (SP, Royals), Logan Webb (SP, Giants), Garrett Whitlock (RP, Red Sox), and Ryan Yarbrough (RP, Yankees)
Catchers: Cal Raleigh (C, Mariners) and Will Smith (C, Dodgers)
Infielders: Alex Bregman (3B, Cubs), Ernie Clement (3B, Cubs), Paul Goldschmidt (1B, Yankees), Bryce Harper (1B, Phillies), Gunnar Henderson (SS, Orioles), Brice Turang (2B, Brewers), and Bobby Witt Jr. (SS, Royals)
Outfielders: Roman Anthony (OF, Red Sox), Byron Buxton (OF, Twins), Pete Crow-Armstrong (OF, Cubs), Aaron Judge (OF, Yankees), and Kyle Schwarber (DH/OF, Phillies)
From top to bottom, the United States has the most loaded roster in the World Baseball Classic. As baseball fans saw in Tuesday’s exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants, the top of the United States lineup has the potential to be downright lethal.
Watching opposing pitching staffs handle some combination of Bobby Witt Jr., Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, and Kyle Schwarber is certainly not for the faint of heart. The Americans have a nice mix of power, contact, and speed up and down the lineup.
Having 2025 Cy Young Award winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal anchoring the United States rotation is nothing short of sensational. However, Skubal is set to start just once during the World Baseball Classic before returning to spring training, potentially putting the Americans at a disadvantage later in the tournament.
That said, a staff of Matthew Boyd, Garrett Cleavinger, Logan Webb, and more relief pitchers who can spot start makes this the best staff on paper.
The United States bullpen could be depended on quite extensively, with arms like David Bednar and Mason Miller expected to close the door in the later innings if the starting pitching falters.
USA starts their 2026 WBC schedule with a matchup vs. Brazil on Friday.
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2. Japan WBC Roster
Japan Payout to Win 2026 WBC: Yes 4.34x ($100 pays out $434) | No 1.19x
Japan Payout to Win Pool C: Yes 1.03x ($100 pays out $103)
Payouts via PrizePicks Team Picks; live as of publishing, subject to change.
Pitchers: Yusei Kikuchi (SP, Angels), Yuki Matsui (RP, Padres), Tomoyuki Sugano (SP, Rockies), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (SP, Dodgers)
Infielders: Munetaka Murakami (3B, White Sox) and Kazuma Okamoto (3B, Blue Jays)
Outfielders: Seiya Suzuki (OF, Cubs), Masataka Yoshida (OF, Red Sox), and Shohei Ohtani (DH, Dodgers)
It’s hard to ignore the success that Japan has enjoyed throughout the World Baseball Classic’s history. After all, Japan has won three of the five tournaments, including the 2023 installment that concluded with Shohei Ohtani’s electric strikeout of Mike Trout.
Japan’s biggest drawback is the fact that Ohtani is only expected to hit during the tournament. Still, possessing baseball’s most electric bat could go a long way in determining the success of the Japanese roster over the next two weeks.
While not having Ohtani on the mound isn’t ideal, Japan still has a very strong rotation. They are led by Dodgers SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has plenty of big-game experience. Yamamoto was the 2025 World Series MVP and was the first pitcher in MLB history to register three road wins in a World Series.
Yamamoto and Los Angeles Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi form a formidable one-two punch for Japan, which could give opposing countries fits.
Even if Team Japan is not loaded with MLB talent, they do have incredible talent in their own league; Japan is clearly the second-best professional league in the world, with countless players that could play in the MLB, with many simply choosing not to.
Japan starts their 2026 WBC schedule with a game vs. Chinese Taipei on Friday, March 6.
3. Dominican Republic WBC Roster
Dominican Republic Payout to Win 2026 WBC: Yes 3.84x ($100 pays out $384) | No 1.23x
Dominican Republic Payout to Win Pool D: Yes 1.44x ($100 pays out $144) | No 2.63x
Payouts via PrizePicks Team Picks; live as of publishing, subject to change.
Pitchers: Sandy Alcantara (SP, Marlins), Brayan Bello (SP, Red Sox), Seranthony Dominguez (RP, White Sox), Camilo Doval (RP, Yankees), Carlos Estevez (RP, Royals), Wandy Peralta (RP, Padres), Dennis Santana (RP, Pirates), Luis Severino (SP, Athletics), Gregory Soto (RP, Pirates), and Cristopher Sanchez (SP, Phillies)
Catchers: Austin Wells (C, Yankees)
Infielders: Junior Caminero (3B, Rays), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B, Blue Jays), Manny Machado (3B, Padres), Ketel Marte (2B, Diamondbacks), Geraldo Perdomo (2B, Diamondbacks), Jeremy Pena (SS, Astros), Amed Rosario (3B, Yankees), and Carlos Santana (1B, Diamondbacks)
Outfielders: Oneil Cruz (OF, Pirates), Julio Rodriguez (OF, Mariners), Juan Soto (OF, Mets), and Fernando Tatis Jr. (OF, Padres)
While the United States and Japan may be considered favorites, the Dominican Republic certainly has an abundance of MLB talent up and down its roster, especially when it comes to hitters.
DR will be seeking its second World Baseball Classic title, after winning the 2013 WBC over Puerto Rico.
The Dominican Republic lineup has the potential to be a force to be reckoned with. There’s a ton of power in the form of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Julio Rodriguez, and Juan Soto. On the other hand, the talent pool is also filled with speed on the basepath with the likes of Oneil Cruz, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Jeremy Pena.
The biggest question mark lies within the pitching staff. Miami Marlins SP Sandy Alcantara has had his fair share of struggles in each of the past two seasons, but Phillies lefty Cristopher Sanchez has been one of baseball’s more dependable arms in recent years.
If Alcantara can be serviceable and the bullpen can be dominant, the Dominican Republic could be the dark horse of the tournament.
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4. Venezuela WBC Roster
Venezuela Payout to Win 2026 WBC: Yes 11.11x ($100 pays out $1,111) | No 1.03x
Venezuela Payout to Win Pool D: Yes 2.77x ($100 pays out $277) | No 1.36x
Payouts via PrizePicks Team Picks; live as of publishing, subject to change.
Pitchers: Jose Butto (RP, Giants), Eduardo Rodriguez (SP, Diamondbacks), Antonio Senzatela (SP, Rockies), and Ranger Suarez (SP, Red Sox)
Catchers: William Contreras (C, Brewers) and Salvador Perez (C, Royals)
Infielders: Luis Arraez (2B, Giants), Willson Contreras (1B, Red Sox), Maikel Garcia (3B, Royals), Andres Gimenez (2B, Blue Jays), Eugenio Suarez (3B, Reds), Gleyber Torres (2B, Tigers), and Ezequiel Tovar (SS, Rockies)
Outfielders: Wilyer Abreu (OF, Red Sox), Ronald Acuna Jr. (OF, Braves), and Jackson Chourio (OF, Brewers)
Venezuela has a very talented roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. However, it’s just not quite as deep as the top three countries.
The biggest question mark may lie within the starting rotation for the Venezuelans. This is a team that simply doesn’t have the starting pitching depth that many other countries have. Outside of Boston Red Sox offseason signee Ranger Suarez, there aren’t many arms with overpowering stuff that could slow down the opposition.
However, this is a lineup that could be very surprising throughout the tournament. Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. is as electric a hitter as there is in Major League Baseball.
San Francisco Giants 2B Luis Arraez gets on base better than just about anyone in baseball, and Milwaukee Brewers OF Jackson Chourio has the makings of a breakout star, as seen during the Brewers' 2025 playoff run.
If this group can manufacture runs, perhaps Venezuela could be a surprise team in the World Baseball Classic.
5. Puerto Rico WBC Roster
Puerto Rico Payout to Win 2026 WBC: Yes 33.33x ($100 pays out $3,333)
Puerto Rico Payout to Win Pool A: Yes 1.92x ($100 pays out $192) | No 1.69x
Payouts via PrizePicks Team Picks; live as of publishing, subject to change.
Pitchers: Fernando Cruz (RP, Yankees), Edwin Diaz (RP, Dodgers), Jose Espada (RP, Orioles), Rico Garcia (RP, Orioles), Seth Lugo (SP, Royals), Jovani Moran (RP, Red Sox), Elmer Rodriguez (SP, Yankees), and Yacksel Rios (RP, Cubs)
Catchers: Martín Maldonado (C, Padres)
Infielders: Nolan Arenado (3B, Diamondbacks) and Luis Vazquez (SS, Orioles)
Outfielders: Willi Castro (OF, Rockies), Matthew Lugo (OF, Angels), Heliot Ramos (OF, Giants), and Eddie Rosario (OF, last played for Braves)
Looking through the MLB talent on this roster, it's clear that there is quite a drop-off between the top four teams of the field and the fifth spot. However, Puerto Rico still has a talented group that could make a little bit of noise throughout the World Baseball Classic.
Puerto Rico is missing some of its big-name hitters, most notably Francisco Lindor, due to insurance issues.
After suiting up for the United States in the previous two World Baseball Classics, Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Nolan Arenado will play for Puerto Rico this time around. He should provide a veteran presence to a lineup that also includes OF Heliot Ramos and OF Eddie Rosario.
The starting rotation will be led by Kansas City Royals SP Seth Lugo and New York Yankees right-hander Elmer Rodriguez. Meanwhile, the bullpen does boast new Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz to close the door.
It’s just a question if Puerto Rico has enough talent to compete.
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Make 2026 World Baseball Classic Predictions on PrizePicks
The 2026 World Baseball Classic gets underway on Wednesday with pool play. As the tournament moves along, baseball fans will be watching how the United States, Japan, and the other top countries filled with MLB talent are performing.
You can make your World Baseball Classic picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make your predictions on winners, spreads, and tournament winners, now available in 34 states.
Stick around with the Playbook for continued World Baseball Classic predictions, picks, and news.
