Colombia ready to prove themselves at 2026 World Baseball Classic

There's no denying that Colombia likely always will be a soccer nation. But there's also no denying that baseball has a huge footprint in the South American nation.

The birthplace of the sport along the Caribbean coast goes all the way back to 1897. The first Latino baseball player to play in the Major Leagues, Luis Castro, hailed from Medellín. World Series-winning shortstops like Édgar Rentería and Orlando Cabrera call the country their home.

And after years of setbacks on the world baseball stage, Colombia has seemingly begun to take inspiration from its strong roots in the pastime.

It nearly beat the United States and the Dominican Republic during the 2017 World Baseball Classic group stage -- losing in extra-inning heartbreakers. It knocked off heavily favored Team Mexico in 2023, and took home Gold in the '23 Pan-American Games. Most recently, it rampaged through the 2025 WBC qualifier with a 3-0 record.

Still, in two tries, Colombia hasn't advanced from the Group Stage in the WBC. But with that recent success and a roster full of veteran MLB pitchers and hitters -- could this be the year they finally break through?

2023 WBC performance

Colombia started off with a bang at the 2023 World Baseball Classic -- knocking off favored Mexico with a 5-4 extra-innings win.

"It just reaffirmed that our baseball, Colombian baseball, continues to grow," manager Jolbert Cabrera, visibly emotional, said after that victory.

Unfortunately, the rest of Colombia's pool play did not go as well. It lost to Great Britain, 7-5, got blanked by Canada, 5-0, and fell in a nail-biter to the United States, 3-2. It was a tough pool, after already playing in a tough pool in 2017, but its 2026 Puerto Rico pool could be the most balanced of the four.

2026 WBC schedule

The 2026 World Baseball Classic will take place March 5-17, with games played at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Daikin Park in Houston; the Tokyo Dome and loanDepot park in Miami.

Colombia will compete in Pool A in Puerto Rico, facing Panama, Canada, Cuba and Puerto Rico. It's maybe the most evenly matched pool in the WBC. Pool A games run March 6-11, and Colombia opens play against host Puerto Rico -- in front of a raucous home crowd -- on March 6.

Best Classic performance

Colombia's shocking win over Mexico in the 2023 group stage was likely its most memorable WBC victory. Everything was clicking. Its pitchers, led by starter and big leaguer Nabil Crismatt, gave up just three earned runs in the first 4 2/3 innings ... and then nothing else besides an unearned run. Its hitters executed in clutch situations, including international journeyman Reynaldo Rodriguez.

Biggest games in country history

In only its third Caribbean Series appearance as an "invited country," Colombia's Caimanes de Barranquilla won one of the winter's toughest international tournaments in 2022. They got out of the group stage with a 3-2 record and then defeated the powerful Dominican Republic team, 4-1. And although the tournament is not as stacked talent-wise, Colombia won Gold in the 2023 Pan-American Games. It knocked off Mexico and Venezuela en route to blowing out Brazil, 9-1, in the final.

Notable MLB players on the team

You have to start with a guy who's been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in the Majors over the last 14 seasons: Jose Quintana.

Quintana has put up 113 wins and a 3.76 ERA for eight big league teams. He'll be pitching for his ninth, the Rockies, in 2026. The proud native of Arjona will captain the team and start the opener against Puerto Rico. Former Braves ace, Julio Teheran, will back up Quintana in the rotation, along with current Ranger Nabil Crismatt.

Colombia also features veteran MLB batters like Jorge Alfaro, Gio Urshela and professional hitter Donovan Solano.

Minor League prospects on the team

One player to watch for? Michael Arroyo. The 21-year-old is Seattle's No. 5 prospect and No. 67 overall in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He had an OBP over .400 across 121 MiLB games in 2025, belting 17 homers and recording 54 RBIs along the way. His bat and composure at the plate have drawn comparisons to former All-Star and 15-year vet Howie Kendrick's.

Story to watch

Jesús Marriaga. El Caballo. The 27-year-old former D-backs signee was quite clearly the best offensive player during the 2025 Qualifier -- where Team Colombia dominated the competition. Marriaga slashed at a .500/.538/1.000 line with a home run, double and triple, while tying for the tournament lead with seven RBIs. If he can keep up that kind of hot hitting, with some big league protection in the lineup, there's no telling how far Colombia can go.

Questions ahead of upcoming tournament

Team Colombia has all the pieces -- strong pitching and solid hitting -- but can they get over that mental hump and reach the quarterfinals for the very first time in team history? New manager Jose Mosquera, who managed that Caimanes de Barranquilla squad to a historic 2022 Caribbean Series title, will hopefully bring that winning culture into the tournament. The first matchup against Puerto Rico will be a big test to see if Colombia baseball has truly reached a new level.