Five teams have advanced out of pool play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, leaving three spots in the next round up for grabs.
Samurai Japan clinched the top spot in Pool C with a narrow victory over Australia on Sunday. Meanwhile, Korea secured the second seed in that pool with its 7-2 win over the Aussies on Monday, earning the spot via tiebreaker over Chinese Taipei and Australia, while Puerto Rico secured a spot in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 win over Cuba.
The Dominican Republic's 10-1 win over Israel on Monday afternoon not only clinched a quarterfinals berth for the Dominicans but Venezuela as well. Wednesday's matchup (8 p.m. ET, FS1) between the two will determine the Pool D winner, with the loser getting the second seed.
2026 World Baseball Classic
Pool B (Houston) & Pool D (Miami) presented by Capital One
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Which teams might join them in the quarterfinals? Here’s everything that you need to know about elimination scenarios and where each team stands as pool play continues at the WBC.
Pool A
ADVANCED
Puerto Rico: Secured a quarterfinals berth with a 4-1 win against Cuba on Monday. Would guarantee the top spot in Pool A with a win against Canada on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, Tubi).
STILL ALIVE
Cuba: Is 2-1 after losing 4-1 against Puerto Rico on Monday. Next game is Wednesday against Canada (3 p.m. ET, FS2).
Canada: Is 1-1 in pool play, beating Colombia but losing to Panama. Next game is Tuesday against Puerto Rico (7 p.m. ET, Tubi).
ELIMINATED
Colombia: Finished 1-3 in pool play.
Panama: Finished 1-3 in pool play.
Pool B
ADVANCED
N/A
STILL ALIVE
USA: Considered to be the pool’s favorite, the Americans are off to a 3-0 start in the Classic with a pair of lopsided victories and a 5-3 win against Mexico on Monday. Would clinch a quarterfinals berth and the top seed in Pool B with a win against Italy on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET, FS1).
Mexico: Is 2-1 to start pool play after a 5-3 loss against USA on Monday. Next game is against Italy on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET, Tubi)
Italy: Is 2-0 to begin pool play after its victory over Great Britain on Sunday. Next game is against USA on Tuesday (9 p.m. ET, FS1).
ELIMINATED
Great Britain: Finished 1-3 in pool play.
Brazil: Finished 0-4 in pool play.
Pool C
ADVANCED
Japan: Clinched the top seed with 4-0 record during pool play.
Korea: Has clinched the second seed in the pool via tiebreaker over Chinese Taipei and Australia, with all three teams finishing 2-2. Korea's win over Australia on Monday triggered the three-way tie.
ELIMINATED
Australia: Finished pool play with a 2-2 record, losing the tiebreaker to Korea.
Chinese Taipei: Finished pool play with a 2-2 record, losing the tiebreaker to Korea.
Czechia: Finished 0-4 in pool play.
Pool D
ADVANCED
Dominican Republic: Clinched a quarterfinals berth with Monday's win over Israel. At 3-0, can clinch the top seed in the pool with a win Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, FS1) against Venezuela.
Venezuela: Clinched a quarterfinals berth via the Dominican Republic's win over Israel on Monday afternoon. At 3-0, can clinch the top seed in the pool with a win Wednesday (8 p.m. ET, FS1) against the Dominican Republic.
ELIMINATED
Israel: Eliminated with Monday's loss to the Dominican Republic.
Netherlands: Also eliminated with Israel's loss to the Dominican Republic on Monday, which ensured that neither Israel nor the Netherlands can finish higher than third.
Nicaragua: Finished 0-4 in pool play.