The 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) moves into its knockout phase with the second round, also known as the quarterfinals. After the completion of pool play, eight teams advance to this stage, where the format switches to single-elimination games.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for March 13–14, 2026, with games hosted in Houston, Texas and Miami, Florida. The winners of these matchups will advance to the semifinals, bringing them one step closer to the WBC championship.
2026 World Baseball Classic Second Round (Quarterfinals) Schedule
Friday, March 13, 2026
- South Korea vs. Dominican Republic — 6:30 p.m. ET
- United States vs. Canada — 8:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, March 14, 2026
- Italy vs. Puerto Rico — 3:00 p.m. ET
- Venezuela vs. Japan — 9:00 p.m. ET
Quarterfinal Locations
Two major MLB cities will host the second round of the tournament:
- Minute Maid Park – Houston, Texas
- loanDepot park – Miami, Florida
These venues were selected to accommodate large international crowds and provide strong support for teams advancing out of the tournament’s pool play stage.
What Happens After the Quarterfinals?
The winners of the four quarterfinal games will move on to the semifinals, scheduled for March 15 and March 16, 2026. Both semifinal games and the championship will be played in Miami at loanDepot park.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic Final will take place on March 17, 2026, where the two semifinal winners will compete for the global baseball title.
Why the Second Round Is Crucial
The quarterfinals represent the most intense stage of the tournament so far. With the single-elimination format, one loss ends a team’s championship hopes. Historically, this round has produced some of the most memorable games in WBC history, featuring dramatic finishes and standout performances from MLB stars and international legends.
For fans around the world, the 2026 WBC second round schedule promises high-stakes baseball as the tournament narrows from eight teams to four in the race to become the next World Baseball Classic champion.