Here we go: 16 years later, Puerto Rico is back hosting the World Baseball Classic at Hiram Bithorn Stadium. The crowd should be intense, the players are ready, Bad Bunny might land a helicopter on the mound and start performing. Who knows?
2026 World Baseball Classic
• How to watch games live
• Scores and schedule
• Standings and tiebreakers
• Tickets and venues
• Rosters
• Players by MLB team
• Complete coverage
But first, Team Rubio meets a tough, steadily-improving opponent in Colombia. A nation with a veteran starting staff and probably more offense than they’ve had in the last couple decades.
"We know what kind of a country Puerto Rico is with baseball,” Colombia manager Jose Mosquero said on Thursday. “We're facing that not only on the field, but mentally.”
Here’s what you need to know about the matchup:
When and where: Friday, 6 p.m. ET at Hiram Bithorn Stadium
How you can watch: The game is available on FS1.
The FOX Sports family of networks (FOX, FS1, FS2, FOX Deportes), the FOX Sports App and Tubi will combine to air all 47 games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic in the United States, and all matchups will be available to stream live and on-demand on FOX One. Additionally, 41 out of the 47 contests will air in Spanish across a combination of FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App, Tubi and FOX One.
Netflix Japan will stream all tournament games in Japanese.
Click here to view viewing options in other countries and territories.
How you can listen: There is a free English-language audio stream available for every game.
Probable starting pitchers: Seth Lugo (Puerto Rico) vs. Jose Quintana (Colombia)
What’s at stake: This is likely one of the most balanced pools of the four, so even though this is just these teams’ first games, every win matters.
Matchup history: These two countries have never played against each other in Classic play. So, yes, it’s time to make some history.