Japan World Baseball Classic schedule: Dates, times, channels, live streams to watch every 2026 WBC game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Japan arrives at the World Baseball Classic as reigning champions, but the path back to the top won't be easy.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe United States, still feeling the sting of a narrow defeat in the 2023 championship game against the Japanese, has loaded up for this year with Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal among the stars on the American roster.
Japan, however, is bringing back Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto after another World Series run with the Dodgers, and newly-arriving major-leaguers Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto will help anchor the lineup alongside Cubs OF Seiya Suzuki.
Japan and the USA won't match up until the bracketed portion of the World Baseball Classic, if at all, but the path for Japan to get there is already laid out.
Here's a look at Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic schedule, including how to watch the games.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJapan World Baseball Classic schedule 2026
Date
Matchup
Time (ET)
TV/Live stream
Fri, March 6
Japan 13, Chinese Taipei 0 (7 inn.)
—
—
Sat., March 7
Japan 8, South Korea 6
—
—
Mon., March 9
Japan 4, Australia 3
—
—
Wed., March 11
Japan 9, Czechia 0
—
—
Sat., March 14
Quarterfinals: Japan vs. Venezuela
9 p.m.
Fox, Fubo
Mon., March 16
Semifinals
8 p.m.
FS1, Fubo
March 17
Championship
8 p.m.
Fox, Fubo
Where to watch World Baseball Classic 2026
TV channels: Fox, FS1, FS2
Live stream: Fubo, Fox One, Tubi
The 2026 World Baseball Classic will be broadcast by the Fox networks, including the main channel, FS1 and FS2. All of those games can be streamed live via Fubo, and some additional games will stream on Tubi and Fox One.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
World Baseball Classic radio coverage 2026
Radio station:SiriusXM
Fans can listen to every 2026 World Baseball Classic game live on SiriusXM.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNew subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Japan World Baseball Classic roster 2026
Manager: Hirokazu Ibata
No.
Player
Pos.
B/T
Team
N/A
Shoma Fujihara
P
R/R
Rakuten Golden Eagles
14
Hiromi Itoh
P
L/R
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
17
Yusei Kikuchi
P
L/L
Los Angeles Angels
57
Koki Kitayama
P
R/R
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
1
Yuki Matsui
P
L/L
San Diego Padres
66
Yuki Matsumoto
P
L/R
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
13
Hiroya Miyagi
P
L/L
Orix Buffaloes
15
Taisei Ota
P
R/R
Yomiuri Giants
63
Ryuhei Sotani
P
L/L
Orix Buffaloes
29
Tomoyuki Sugano
P
R/R
Colorado Rockies
52
Chihiro Sumida
P
L/L
Saitama Seibu Lions
34
Hiroto Takahashi
P
R/R
Chunichi Dragons
55
Atsuki Taneichi
P
R/R
Chiba Lotte Marines
64
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
P
R/R
Los Angeles Dodgers
61
Yuhei Nakamura
C
R/R
Tokyo Yakult Swallows
23
Seishiro Sakamoto
C
R/R
Hanshin Tigers
13
Kenya Wakatsuki
C
R/R
Orix Buffaloes
6
Sosuke Genda
IF
L/R
Saitama Seibu Lions
3
Kaito Kazono
IF
L/R
Hiroshima Toyo Carp
2
Shugo Maki
IF
R/R
Yokohama DeNA BayStars
5
Taisei Makihara
IF
L/R
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
55
Munetaka Murakami
IF
L/R
Chicago White Sox
25
Kazuma Okamoto
IF
R/R
Toronto Blue Jays
7
Teruaki Soto
IF
L/R
Hanshin Tigers
8
Kensuke Kondo
OF
L/R
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
23
Shota Morishita
OF
R/R
Hanshin Tigers
20
Ukyo Shuto
OF
R/R
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
51
Seiya Suzuki
OF
R/R
Chicago Cubs
34
Masataka Yoshida
OF
L/R
Boston Red Sox
16
Shohei Ohtani
DH
L/R
Los Angeles Dodgers
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