Let’s begin by stating the obvious: the World Baseball Classic is a tremendous event for the sport of baseball. Allowing countries to send their best to face off against other countries is a brilliant idea. And the WBC has produced some incredible moments during its run since 2006. And while pool play is now over and we’re moving on to the quarterfinals, every team involved with this year’s tournament should be proud of their accomplishments. So what stood out? What can we take away from the 2026 World Baseball Classic? Let’s dive into one thing to remember about each team advancing out of pool play in 2026.

TAKEAWAY #1: MISMANAGEMENT BY TEAM USA

Speaking about beginning with the obvious, we must speak about the verbal blunder and mismanagement by Team USA manager Mark DeRosa. The “mispoken” comment about the US’s “clinching” of their advance was evident by the way the game was handled against Team Italy. For starters, DeRosa started Paul Goldschmidt (the fifth-worst right-hitter against righty pitching in 2025) against a right starter for Italy. And then when the bases were loaded late in the game, Mark had (the retiree) Clayton Kershaw warming in the bullpen, with Mason Miller still available in a crucial moment. This blunder was erased by Team Italy’s trouncing of Team Mexico in the final game of pool play. Yet, the lack of awareness by everyone on Team USA was astonishing.

TAKEAWAY #2: TEAM ITALY IS BETTER THAN EXPECTED

The Cinderella story of the 2026 World Baseball Classic was without a doubt Team Italy. Coming into the tournament, no one expected this team to be as dominant a force as they had shown themselves to be in their four games. In their four games of pool play, Italy did not score fewer than seven runs. And across the four games, the Italians averaged eight runs a game while only giving up eleven runs total, or an average of less than three runs per game. Moving into the single-game elimination bracket as the number one seed in their bracket gives Team Italy a strong start towards winning the entire tournament.

TAKEAWAY #3: TEAM JAPAN IS POISED TO WIN AGAIN

Death, taxes, and Team Japan dominating in international baseball. Few things in this world feel as sure a thing as Japan playing well in an international baseball tournament. Team Japan, anchored by the offensive leader and highlight magnet, Shohei Ohtani are set to try and defend their 2023 WBC Championship after another powerful showing in pool play. Team Japan has proven their talents and abilities to play well in all facets of the game. No matter if it’s hitting home runs, pitching well, playing fundamental defense, or even in the small ball game, Team Japan is primed to win its fourth WBC crown in the sixth overall tournament of its kind.

TAKEAWAY #4: TEAM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MIGHT BE THE MOST COMPLETE TEAM IN THE TOURNAMENT

In the game of baseball they say that hitting and winning are contagious. And to watch Team Dominican Republic during this first round of the 2026 WBC play, we must also add in that joyful celebrations and bat flips are contagious. Watching Team DR play during this year’s tournament compared to previous years including 2013 when the Dominican team won the tournament, when they won every game they played, and this team looks more well rounded than that bunch. It may seem like a bold and wild claim to make, but just watching the opening four games, it’s not hard to see why such a statement can be utter about the 2026 Team Dominican Republic.

TAKEAWAY #5: “UNDERDOG” TEAM VENEZUELA LOOKS AS STRONG AS THE HEAVY FAVORITES

Going into the tournament, Team Venezuela was seen as a dark-horse candidate to win the 2026 WBC Championship. And after pool play, the narrative has only grown stronger. Venezuela played strong baseball and was the only team to really give Team Dominican Republic even a remotely close game. And it will be building on that confidence that the Venezuelan team can look to continue advancing. But it won’t be an easy path, as they will face the reigning defending World Baseball Classic champions, Team Japan. Given the battle that Team DR had with Venezuela, Team Japan will find itself in an equally difficult matchup.

TAKEAWAY #6: TEAM KOREA IS HUNGRY

Team Korea played an awesome brand of baseball during the opening pool play of the 2026 WBC. And they will look to carry that momentum over to the single-elimination bracket quarterfinal rounds. Like the aforementioned Venezuelan team, Team Korea faces a difficult path to advance in the form of Team Dominican Republic. Korea rode a strong offensive output to a positive run differential to advancement. And they are going to need to turn the offensive firepower back on to battle against the Dominicans.

TAKEAWAY #7: DON’T SLEEP ON TEAM CANADA

The biggest surprise team coming out of pool play was Team Canada. Team Canada is featuring the most Major League talent that it has ever featured in this tournament. And that talent helped push this out of pool play for the first time ever. Don’t be surprised to see Canada (the top-seeded team out of Pool A) give Team USA a much more difficult battle than initially anticipated. Don’t sleep on Team Canada to make some noise against Team USA.

TAKEAWAY #8: TEAM PUERTO RICO FACES TOUGHEST PATH TO VICTORY

Despite not having the most recognizable names of the Puerto Rican baseball players (Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Javy Baez), Team Puerto Rico was able to play solid baseball and advance out of pool play. That being said, Team PR has arguably the most difficult path to the championship of any team left in bracket play. Sitting as the second seed coming out of Pool A leaves Puerto Rico playing Team Italy. And for Puerto Rico, the games have mostly been tight contests that have seen PR take advantage of mistakes to capitalize. However, Team Italy hasn’t really shown itself as a team prone to mistakes. For Team Puerto Rico is will take a full team effort and onslaught to be able to push past Italy, then the winner of Japan and Venezuela. Before battling whoever comes out of the bracket featuring the USA, Canada, Korea, and the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico was the team that dealt with and faced more adversity than any other team heading into the tournament. And they will find themselves once again with their backs against the wall, facing the most adversity if they are going to be victorious and be crowned the 2026 World Baseball Classic champions.