Elimination scenarios for the World Baseball Classic

Two teams have advanced out of pool play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, leaving six 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, while Korea secured the second seed in Pool C with its 7-2 win over the Aussies on Monday, earning the spot via tiebreaker over Chinese Taipei and Australia.

But 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

N/A

STILL ALIVE

Puerto Rico: Off to a 2-0 start in pool play, on the heels of a dramatic walk-off victory over Panama on Saturday. It can clinch a quarterfinals berth with a win Monday against Cuba (7 p.m. ET, FS1).

Cuba: Is 2-0 to begin pool play after its Sunday win over Colombia. It can clinch a quarterfinals berth with a win Monday against Puerto Rico (7 p.m. ET, FS1).

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).

Panama: Is 1-2 to start pool play after Sunday's win over Canada. Will be eliminated with one more loss. Next game is Monday against Colombia (12 p.m. ET, FS2).

ELIMINATED

Colombia: Cannot advance after going 0-3 to open pool play.

Pool B

ADVANCED

N/A

STILL ALIVE

USA: Considered to be the pool’s favorite, the Americans are off to a 2-0 start in the Classic with a pair of lopsided victories. Will try to improve to 3-0 against Mexico on Monday (8 p.m. ET, FOX).

Mexico: Is 2-0 to start pool play after a run-rule victory over Brazil on Sunday.

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: Cannot advance after going 0-3 to start pool play.

Brazil: Fell to 0-3 in pool play with Sunday's run-rule loss to Mexico.

Pool C

ADVANCED

Japan: Has clinched the top seed in the pool.

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: Cannot advance to the next round after dropping its first three pool play games.

Pool D

ADVANCED

N/A

STILL ALIVE

Venezuela: Is 2-0 to begin the WBC. Its next game is Monday against Nicaragua (7 p.m. ET, FS2), but can clinch a quarterfinals berth if the Dominican Republic beats Israel this afternoon.

Dominican Republic: Also 2-0 to begin the tournament. Can clinch a quarterfinals berth with a win Monday against Israel (12 p.m. ET, FS1).

Israel: Is 1-1 in pool play after a shutout of Nicaragua on Sunday. Needs to win Monday against the Dominican Republic to keep hopes alive for quarterfinals berth.

Netherlands: Is 1-2 in pool play after its seven-inning, run-rule loss to the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Its next game is Tuesday against Israel (7 p.m. ET, FOX Sports app).

ELIMINATED

Nicaragua: Cannot advance to the next round after dropping to 0-3 with Sunday's loss to Israel.