Can Ohtani lead Japan to back-to-back Classic championships?

With Masataka Yoshida of the Red Sox selected as the final roster spot, Samurai Japan’s squad is now complete. The team features a record nine Major League players, along with 10 members from the previous championship-winning roster. Under manager Hirokazu Ibata, the lineup is built with an emphasis on balance, blending the energy of younger players with the stability of experienced veterans.

Shohei Ohtani leads the team, and his presence alone poses a major threat to opponents -- though this time he is expected to only pitch. Japan’s strengths lie in a power-packed lineup led by its Major Leaguers, precise defense, and a deep pitching staff. Managing pitcher conditioning and maintaining offensive momentum throughout the short tournament format will be key to Japan’s bid for back-to-back titles.

Memorable Moments from the 2023 Tournament

Japan defeated the United States in the final to capture its third World Baseball Classic title, its first since the 2009 tournament. Led by stars such as Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish, Japan delivered a level of play that left a powerful impression not only on fans at home but on those around the world.

In the semifinals against Mexico, Munetaka Murakami hit a dramatic walk-off, go-ahead double in the ninth inning to secure a thrilling 6–5 comeback victory. In the final, with Japan holding a narrow 3–2 lead in the last inning, Ohtani took the mound and struck out Mike Trout, his then-teammate with the Angels, on a swinging strikeout, becoming the championship-winning pitcher. The moment stands as one of the most iconic scenes in the tournament's history.

2026 Tournament Schedule

The tournament will be held from March 5 to 17, with games played in Puerto Rico, Houston, Tokyo, and Miami.

Japan’s NPB-based players will begin a pre-tournament training camp in Miyazaki on February 14, taking part in exhibition games before heading into the main competition. MLB players are also expected to appear in the exhibition games scheduled in Osaka on March 2 against the Orix Buffaloes and on March 3 against the Hanshin Tigers.

Japan will compete in Pool C in Tokyo, where it will face Australia, South Korea, the Czech Republic, and Chinese Taipei. The team opens the tournament on March 6 against Chinese Taipei. Securing a win in the opener will be crucial for gaining momentum and setting the tone for the rest of the tournament.

The biggest games in the country's history

A defining moment in Japanese baseball came in the 2023 tournament final against the United States. Japan, demonstrating its high level of performance throughout the tournament, defeated a star-studded U.S. team to claim the championship.

After a dramatic comeback in the semifinals, Japan’s pitchers held the opposition to just two runs in the final, while the offense delivered key contributions with patience and precision. Shohei Ohtani, who had encouraged his teammates before the game to “stop admiring them,” took the mound in the final inning, striking out Mike Trout and sealing the championship. This moment has become one of the tournament’s most memorable and emblematic scenes.

That was the third World Baseball Classic championship for Japan -- no other country has more than one -- and the nation is also the reigning Olympic gold medal champions. Quite simply, international baseball belongs to Japan right now.

Notable MLB Players

The spotlight, naturally, falls on Shohei Ohtani and Japan’s Major League contingent. Following the previous tournament, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Yuki Matsui, and Masataka Yoshida return. Tomoyuki Sugano, Yusei Kikuchi and Seiya Suzuki join the squad, as well as Kazuma Okamoto and Munetaka Murakami, who will make their Major League debuts this season, bringing the total to a tournament-record nine Major Leaguers.

Ohtani and Kikuchi are both graduates of Hanamaki Higashi High School, though they never played together due to a three-year age difference. This tournament will mark the first time the two take the field in the same uniform for Japan.

Beyond the active roster, Yu Darvish is also expected to be a key figure. While he is not competing as he continues to rehab his right elbow, Darvish is slated to join the team as an advisor, using his experience and data-driven insight to help prepare the pitching staff for Major League hitters, while also serving as an important leadership presence.

Though they aren't MLB players, keep an eye on Hiromi Itoh, the reigning Sawamura Award winner, and Teruaki Sato, who won the Central League MVP Award after hitting 40 home runs last year.

Story to watch

If preparations go smoothly, Japan’s starting rotation is expected to be anchored by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Yusei Kikuchi. Given the early-season timing, each starter is likely to be limited to around 4 innings or roughly 60-70 pitches, with careful bullpen management anticipated, similar to the previous tournament.

Shohei Ohtani, who pitched both as a starter and closer in the last tournament, is expected to only be used as a hitter this time around.

Just as Yamamoto was called on in critical closing moments during the World Series, Japan could turn to him late in pivotal games. This kind of flexibility remains one of the team’s greatest strengths.

Questions ahead of Upcoming Tournament

The Key to Defending the Title
Japan has consistently been among the tournament’s elite, reaching at least the semifinals in every previous classic. The challenge lies in maintaining momentum in a short-format competition, starting with a win in the opening game and building from there. How the team coordinates both offense and defense to demonstrate its full capabilities will be closely watched by baseball fans worldwide.