World Baseball Classic Predictions 2026: Can Anyone Challenge Juggernaut USA?

Following a heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which ended with Shohei Ohtani striking out then-teammate Mike Trout, Team USA is out for revenge in the 2026 tournament. It stands as a significant favorite (+110) to avenge its loss, and I'm backing the Americans with my World Baseball Classic predictions.

However, I'm also interested in a relative long shot (+2200) that made serious waves in the 2023 tournament, and I have a pair of bets on pool play, as well.

💰 Best bet to win World Baseball Classic outright

Here's my best pick to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic, as part of our MLB picks:

Team USA (+110)

I discussed in my look at the World Baseball Classic odds 2026 that this version of Team USA is simply on another level compared to that 2023 team.

In the final against Japan, the Americans sent Merrill Kelly to the mound, and he was followed by Kyle Freeland after a brief appearance by Aaron Loup. Kelly and Freeland are fine MLB pitchers - the latter is punished by playing for the Colorado Rockies - but they don't hold a candle to the potential final-game starters for Team USA this year. 

Team USA looks poised to enter the tournament with a rotation featuring reigning AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, and NL Cy Young fourth-place finisher Logan Webb.

Additionally, most of the projected lineup for the 2026 team is better than that 2023 version, with only center field (Byron Buxton vs. Mike Trout) and third base (Alex Bregman vs. Nolan Arenado) being objectively worse. Here's how I think the 2026 lineup could look:

1. Kyle Schwarber (DH)
2. Aaron Judge (RF)
3. Bobby Witt Jr. (SS)
4. Cal Raleigh (C)
5. Corbin Carroll (LF)
6. Alex Bregman (3B)
7. Bryce Harper (1B)
8. Gunnar Henderson (2B)
9. Byron Buxton (CF)

Overall, this team is just simply absurd, and it feels irresponsible to not bet on it to win the World Baseball Classic outright.

🎯 World Baseball Classic long shot: Best sleeper pick

Mexico (+2200)

Mexico had baseball fans buzzing during the 2023 tournament, as it was only three outs away from squaring off against USA in the final. Unfortunately, Giovanny Gallegos had a collapse for the ages and Japan walked it off in the bottom of the ninth.

However, Mexico returns with a very similar, if not better team this time around. Randy Arozarena returns after his electric performance in 2023, which he ended with an absurd 1.507 OPS, and the rest of the lineup features either the same player from that tournament or a legitimate improvement.

The projected rotation isn't the strongest in the field, but neither was the one from 2023. I believe Mexico should be priced closer to Puerto Rico (+1100) and Venezuela (+1500), so I'm happy to bet on these +2200 odds - or longer if you can find them - for my long shot pick as part of my World Baseball Classic predictions.

⚖️ World Baseball Classic pool bets: Best bet to win pool

Here are my best bets to win their pool or qualify for Round 2:

Canada to win Pool A (+500)

Canada unfortunately drew the short straw in the 2023 tournament, playing in a group that featured Team USA and Mexico. Despite their 2-2 record, the Canadians failed to qualify for the knockout stage. However, they drew a much more favorable position this year.

Pool A's favorite, Puerto Rico (-230), is dealing with a ton of question marks after superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor was denied insurance for the tournament. There have even been rumors that the hosts (Pool A games will be played in San Juan) could pull out of WBC altogether. Regardless, Puerto Rico enters this tournament with some pretty bad vibes.

Alongside Canada (+500), Cuba (+700) and Colombia (+800) are priced as legitimate contenders to win what's expected to be the most competitive group. Of the three, I like the projected Canadian roster the most, even without star first baseman Freddie Freeman, who isn't playing in the WBC due to personal reasons.

It's entirely possible Puerto Rico avoids disaster and wins the group as expected, but if the roster chaos does play a role, I love backing Canada to win Pool A at this price.

To see how Puerto Rico's roster shakes out ahead of the tournament, be sure to go to our World Baseball Classic odds page that will be constantly updated throughout the tournament.

World Baseball Classic pool bets: Best bet to qualify from pool

Netherlands to qualify from Pool D (+450)

The top two teams from each pool qualify for the knockout stage, so you can attack this market in two different ways.

First, you can look at Pools A or C and pick from the tightly priced "contenders," which are all hovering around +100 to +200. Or, you can look to Pools B and D, which feature two clear favorites, and look for value from those.

I'm going with the second option, and since Pool B features Team USA and Mexico with Italy trading at +300 odds, I'm most interested in Pool D.

The Dominican Republic is a bona fide juggernaut. Its projected lineup is arguably just as good as Team USA's, but the rotation leaves something to be desired. Venezuela is also set to feature a ton of talent, so if the Netherlands does qualify from Pool D, it won't be easy by any means.

However, this Dutch team is no pushover itself. It features an intriguing collection of MLB talent in its projected lineup and very nearly qualified from its group in 2023. I wouldn't break the bank on this bet, but it certainly offers the best value for those looking to invest in this market.

🔢 World Baseball Classic odds 2026

World Baseball Classic odds via DraftKings:

⚾ 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)

🏆 Past World Baseball Classic winners

💰 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.

❓World 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.