World Baseball Classic Odds 2026: Can Team USA Avenge Heartbreaking Defeat?
Following its heartbreaking defeat in 2023, Team USA headlines the latest World Baseball Classic odds as rosters are set to be finalized this week.
Japan and the Dominican Republic (+370) follow the Americans (+110), while a Puerto Rico team facing question marks with its roster sits as the fourth-biggest favorite. Meanwhile, the Naylor brothers join plenty of other major-leaguers on an underdog Canada squad that will be missing Freddie Freeman this year.
π’ World Baseball Classic odds 2026
World Baseball Classic odds via DraftKings
| Team | Odds | Implied probability | Profit ($10 bet) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | +110 | 47.62% | $11 |
| Japan | +370 | 37% | $37 |
| Dominican Republic | +370 | 37% | $37 |
| Puerto Rico | +1100 | 8.33% | $110 |
| Venezuela | +1500 | 6.25% | $150 |
| Mexico | +2200 | 4.35% | $220 |
| South Korea | +3500 | 2.78% | $350 |
| Canada | +3500 | 2.78% | $350 |
| Netherlands | +5000 | 1.96% | $500 |
| Italy | +5000 | 1.96% | $500 |
π¬ World Baseball Classic pool odds: to win
Odds to win pool via DraftKings
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico (-230) | USA (-1000) | Japan (-1000) | Dominican Republic (-155) |
| Canada (+500) | Mexico (+700) | South Korea (+1100) | Venezuela (+120) |
| Cuba (+700) | Italy (+4000) | Australia (+2200) | Netherlands (+2000) |
| Colombia (+800) | Brazil (+5000) | Chinese Taipei (+2800) | Nicaragua (+6500) |
| Panama (+4000) | Great Britain (+6500) | Czechia (+6500) | Israel (+6500) |
As you can see, there is essentially no way to justify betting on either Japan or USA to win their respective pools. The odds are simply too short. Among the four pools, A appears to be the most competitive, with Canada, Cuba, and Colombia priced as potential contenders.
World Baseball Classic pool odds: to qualify
Odds to qualify from pool via DraftKings
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico (-1000) | USA (-20000) | Japan (-20000) | Dominican Republic (-2000) |
| Canada (+120) | Mexico (-400) | South Korea (+100) | Venezuela (-900) |
| Cuba (+170) | Italy (+300) | Australia (+235) | Netherlands (+450) |
| Colombia (+180) | Brazil (+2500) | Chinese Taipei (+250) | Nicaragua (+2800) |
| Panama (+1100) | Great Britain (+2800) | Czechia (+1200) | Israel (+2800) |
π€ Can Team USA avenge its 2023 defeat?
Team USA odds:
- To win outright (+110)
- To win Pool B (-1000)
- To qualify from Pool B (-20000)
Team USA sits atop the World Baseball Classic odds for good reason. Its projected lineup is truly absurd, featuring nine very realistic MVP candidates. The infield is headlined by AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr., and Gunnar Henderson, while reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge will patrol right field.
Additionally, the Americans feature the two best starting pitchers in all of baseball, as Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal lead a rotation that's also expected to include Cy Young candidates Joe Ryan and Logan Webb. Behind them is a very strong bullpen, with arguably the best closer in baseball, Mason Miller, set to lock things down in the ninth.
🏆️ How many awards contenders can one team have?
- AL MVP: Aaron Judge (winner), Cal Raleigh (runner-up), Bobby Witt Jr. (fourth), Tarik Skubal (fifth), Byron Buxton (11th)
- NL MVP: Kyle Schwarber (runner-up), Corbin Carroll (sixth)
- AL Cy Young: Tarik Skubal (winner)
- NL Cy Young: Paul Skenes (winner), Logan Webb (fourth)
So, when you break it down, Team USA's +110 odds to avenge its 2023 loss to Japan make a lot of sense. Don't get me wrong, that team was good. This one is next level, though.
π Ohtani's absence from Japan's rotation delivers a massive hit to repeat hopes
Japan odds:
- To win outright (+370)
- To win Pool C (-1000)
- To qualify from Pool C (-20000)
Japan still sits as the second-biggest favorite alongside the Dominican Republic at +370 odds, though I don't love its chances to repeat as the champion.
The lineup features the same combination of power and bat-to-ball skills we've come to expect from Japan but the rotation leaves something to be desired since Shohei Ohtani won't pitch in the tournament. It still features World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Nippon Ham Fighters teammates Hiromi Itoh and Koki Kitayama - both of whom had stellar 2025 seasons - but that's still a step down from a group that included Ohtani, Yamamoto, Yu Darvish, and now-MLB pitchers Shota Imanaga and Roki Sasaki in 2023.
I wouldn't dare to count out a nation that consistently shows up in this tournament (and wins it more than anyone else), but I would feel a lot better about Japan's chances if baseball's unicorn was both pitching and hitting.
π Can Canada still make noise without its best player?
Canada odds:
- To win outright (+3500)
- To win Pool A (+500)
- To qualify from Pool A (+120)
Canada's projected lineup still includes plenty of MLB talent, as even without Freeman, the infield features Josh Naylor (Mariners), Edouard Julien (Twins), Otto Lopez (Marlins), and Abraham Toro (Royals). However, I have to admit that it lacks a certain punch without one of baseball's best players leading the charge.
I wouldn't go as far to say that I think Canada is incorrectly priced at +3500, as the other teams in that range have similar flaws, but I wouldn't run to bet the underdogs at that price.
βΎ 2026 World Baseball Classic info
- When: March 5 to March 17
- Where: Miami, Houston, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Tokyo (Japan)
- Favorite: USA (+110 via DraftKings)
π Past World Baseball Classic winners
| Year | Team | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Japan | USA |
| 2017 | USA | Puerto Rico |
| 2013 | Dominican Republic | Puerto Rico |
| 2009 | Japan | South Korea |
| 2006 | Japan | Cuba |
π° How to bet on the World Baseball Classic
Most of the best sports betting sites are featuring odds for which team will win the tournament, and those offerings are typically listed under the "baseball" section.
Those prices are still fluctuating a fair bit as notable players from the participating nations commit to play. That movement will continue up until the roster submission deadline, and then injuries during spring training may also play a role.
Then we'll start to get game lines and player props closer to the opening tournament game, and you'll also no doubt be able to wager on who will be named the WBC MVP.
βWorld Baseball Classic FAQs
Who is the World Baseball Classic favorite?
Team USA is the World Baseball Classic odds favorite, with odds of +110 at DraftKings carrying an implied probability of 47.62% that it'll win the tournament.
Who won the World Baseball Classic last time?
Japan won the last World Baseball Classic in 2023, defeating Team USA in the final.
When was the last time the World Baseball Classic was won back-to-back?
Japan won back-to-back in 2006 and 2009 and has a chance to do so again in 2026.
When will the World Baseball Classic be decided?
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be played from March 5 to March 17.
Who has won the most World Baseball Classic titles?
Japan has won the most World Baseball Classic titles with three.
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