HOUSTON -- Mexico is off to its best start ever at a World Baseball Classic. Now the team just has to keep things rolling against Brazil on Sunday night at Daikin Park to set up a must-see showdown with Team USA.
Yes, Mexico has only played one game so far at the 2026 WBC, a win against Great Britain in their opener on Friday. But -- would you believe it? -- it's the first time in six Classics that Mexico has started the tournament with a victory.
That seems impossible for a country with so much baseball talent … and one that's coming off a semifinal run in the last World Baseball Classic in 2023. But it's true.
2026 World Baseball Classic
Pool B (Houston) & Pool D (Miami) presented by Capital One
• How to watch games live
• Scores and schedule
• Standings and tiebreakers
• Tickets and venues
• Rosters
• Players by MLB team
• Complete coverage
This year was a different story, and it puts Mexico in a better position early in pool play. If Mexico goes to 2-0 by beating Brazil, the matchup with Team USA on Monday could decide who takes first place in the pool. And returning stars like Randy Arozarena and Rowdy Tellez think these games can be the start of a WBC 2026 championship run.
"I feel like I have more experience now, to keep contributing to the team and be able to move on to the next round, which is our next step to give Mexico the sense of happiness they deserve," Arozarena said at the start of pool play.
Brazil will once again be looking for a major upset in Pool B. The country is still seeking its first ever World Baseball Classic win, between its two appearances in 2013 and 2026. Brazil dropped its first two games of 2026 pool play against the U.S. and Italy, but has played surprisingly competitive games, led by Manny Ramirez's son Lucas.
Here’s what you need to know about the Mexico-Brazil matchup:
When and where: Sunday, 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, Daikin Park
How you can watch: The Brazil-Mexico game will air on FS1.
How you can listen: There is a free English-language audio stream available for every game.
Team results: Mexico defeated Great Britain, 8-2, in its first game on Friday, on the strength of a tiebreaking three-run homer by Rays All-Star Jonathan Aranda in the eighth inning. The team had an off-day Saturday. Brazil is 0-2 after a 15-5 loss to Team USA on Friday and an 8-0 loss to Italy on Saturday.
Probable starting pitchers: RHP Eric Pardinho (Brazil) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (Mexico)
What’s at stake: A win would put Mexico in pole position in Pool B and give the country a chance to all but guarantee a trip to the tournament quarterfinals if it can beat the United States in Monday's clash of the two favorites in the group. For Brazil, the top priority is getting that historic first WBC win. A loss to fall to 0-3 would eliminate them from contention in this year's Classic.
Matchup history: This will be the first matchup between Mexico and Brazil at the World Baseball Classic. The two teams did not meet in 2013, Brazil's lone other appearance.