With Japan’s win over Australia in the early hours of Sunday morning, Japan became the first team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals.
The defending champs improved to 3-0 in the tournament, but they have won their past two games by a combined three runs. Despite the return of Los Angeles Dodgers’ stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto from their championship-winning 2023 squad, Japan might not be as strong as it was three seasons ago.
With the quarterfinals on the horizon, let’s take a look at the updated standings and which teams have already reached the top eight.
Who is in WBC quarterfinals?
This section will be updated as the eight teams clinch berths in the WBC quarterfinals.
Japan (Pool C winner)
Korea (Pool C runner-up)
WBC standings
* — clinched spot in quarterfinals
Pool A
Puerto Rico (2-0)
Cuba (2-0)
Canada (1-1)
Panama (1-2)
Colombia (0-3)
Pool B
Mexico (2-0)
Italy (2-0)
United States (2-0)
Great Britain (0-3)
Brazil (0-3)
Pool C
Japan (3-0)*
Korea (2-2)*
Australia (2-2)
Chinese Taipei (2-2)
Czechia (0-3)
Pool D
Dominican Republic (2-0)
Venezuela (2-0)
Israel (1-1)
Netherlands (1-2)
Nicaragua (0-3)
