The 2026 WBC Quarterfinals are officially set following a wild final night of pool play on March 11, 2026. Team USA (3-1) has secured a spot in the knockout round and will face Canada in Houston on Friday, March 13. Joining them are pool winners Italy, Japan, and the Dominican Republic, along with runners-up Puerto Rico, South Korea, and Venezuela.
2026 WBC Tournament Format: From Pool Play to the Knockout Stage
The path to the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship trophy is divided into two distinct phases: the round-robin Pool Play and the single-elimination Knockout Stage. Starting tonight, teams in Pools A, B, C, and D will compete to secure one of the eight coveted spots in the Quarterfinals.
- Pool Play (March 4 – March 10): Teams compete within their assigned groups in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston, and Miami.
- The Cut-Off: Only the winner and the runner-up from each pool advance; the remaining 12 teams are eliminated from contention.
- Quarterfinals (March 11 – March 13): The tournament transitions to a “win-or-go-home” format. The winners from the Tokyo and San Juan pools will face off, while the Houston and Miami qualifiers battle on the other side of the bracket.
- Championship Round: The final four teams will converge on loanDepot Park in Miami for the Semifinals (March 14–16) and the World Baseball Classic Final on March 17.
Key “WBC Madness” Recap
- Team USA’s Great Escape: After a shocking 8-6 loss to Italy on Tuesday, the U.S. needed Italy to defeat Mexico on Wednesday to avoid a messy 3-way tiebreaker. Italy dominated Mexico 9-1, sending both the Italians and Americans to the quarterfinals.
- The Powerhouse Collision: The Saturday night cap in Miami between Venezuela and Japan is being billed as the “Game of the Tournament,” featuring a showdown of MLB stars and Japan’s undefeated pitching staff.
- Canada’s Historic Run: By winning Pool A, Canada has reached the quarterfinals for the first time in tournament history.
Updated 2026 WBC Quarterfinal Schedule
The bracket is split between two host cities: Houston (Daikin Park) and Miami (loanDepot park).
Friday, March 13
- Game 1 (Miami): South Korea (Pool C Runner-up) vs. Dominican Republic (Pool D Winner) | 6:30 PM ET (FS2)
- Game 2 (Houston): USA (Pool B Runner-up) vs. Canada (Pool A Winner) | 8:00 PM ET (FOX)
Saturday, March 14
- Game 3 (Houston): Puerto Rico (Pool A Runner-up) vs. Italy (Pool B Winner) | 3:00 PM ET (FS1)
- Game 4 (Miami): Venezuela (Pool D Runner-up) vs. Japan (Pool C Winner) | 9:00 PM ET (FOX)
WBC Semifinal & Final Paths
- Semifinal 1 (March 15): Winner of USA/Canada vs. Winner of Korea/D.R.
- Semifinal 2 (March 16): Winner of P.R./Italy vs. Winner of Venezuela/Japan
- Championship Game: Tuesday, March 17 at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
Printable 2026 World Baseball Classic Knockout Bracket
Here’s the printable 2026 World Baseball Classic Knockout Bracket for you. You can save or print it to PDF format.
2026 WBC Resource Center: Schedules, Rosters, and Team Guides
As the tournament progresses toward the knockout stage, stay updated with our comprehensive guides for the top contenders and full pool play details.
- Full 2026 WBC Master Schedule – View the complete results from all 40 Pool Play games and updated standings.
- Team USA Schedule & Roster – Follow the defending champs’ path through Pool C in Houston.
- Team Japan Tournament Guide – Everything you need to know about Samurai Japan’s home-field advantage in Tokyo.
- Team Mexico Pool B Schedule – Tracking Mexico’s journey from San Juan to the potential Quarterfinals.
- Team Australia Tokyo Dome Guide – Full broadcast times and matchups for the opening games in Japan.
How many teams advance to the WBC Quarterfinals?
A total of 8 teams advance to the knockout stage. The top two teams from each of the four pools (A, B, C, and D) qualify for the Quarterfinals.
When do the 2026 WBC Quarterfinals start?
The Quarterfinals are scheduled to begin on March 11, 2026. Games will be held in Tokyo and Miami to determine the final four teams.
Where is the 2026 WBC Championship Game?
The final game of the World Baseball Classic will be held on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
What happens if there is a tie in Pool Play?
If teams have identical records at the end of the group stage, the tie is broken by: 1) Head-to-head record, 2) Lowest fewest runs allowed divided by defensive innings played, and 3) Highest batting average.
Is the WBC knockout stage double elimination?
No. Unlike the early rounds of some previous tournaments, the 2026 Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals are all single-elimination.
How to Watch the WBC Knockout Round on TV/Stream?
Q: What channel is the WBC Quarterfinals on in 2026?
A: In the United States, the 2026 WBC Quarterfinals are broadcast exclusively across the FOX Sports networks. Games will air on FOX, FS1, and FS2, with select Spanish-language coverage available on FOX Deportes.
Q: When does the WBC 2026 Knockout Stage begin?
A: The single-elimination knockout stage, starting with the quarterfinals, begins on Friday, March 13, 2026. The first two quarterfinal matchups take place in Houston, Texas, followed by two games in Miami, Florida.
Q: Can I stream the 2026 World Baseball Classic quarterfinals?
A: Yes, fans can stream every WBC knockout round game via the FOX Sports app by logging in with their authenticated cable or satellite provider credentials. Live TV streaming services like Fubo, Sling TV, and YouTube TV also carry the FOX networks.
Q: What are the venues for the 2026 WBC Knockout round?
A: The 2026 WBC Quarterfinals are split between Minute Maid Park in Houston and loanDepot park in Miami. All four remaining games of the tournament (the Semifinals and Championship Game) will be played exclusively in Miami.
