Who will win the World Baseball Classic? Expert picks, odds and favorites for 2026 WBC tournament

Who will win the World Baseball Classic? Expert picks, odds and favorites for 2026 WBC tournament originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Three years ago, the World Baseball Classic excited baseball fans with a thrilling tournament that resulted in a Japanese victory.

Since then, the tournament has only grown in popularity, as MLB players from all over have become more interested in participating in the event. While some of the favorites for the WBC remain the same, there is more depth this time around, with every country hoping for a deep run.

No team has more stars for the 2026 WBC than the United States. After losing in the final to Japan in 2023, Team USA recruited many of the game's best players to try regain its spot at the time of the baseball world.

So, who else are the top teams in the WBC? And which teams could pull off surprise runs deep into the tournament? Here's a breakdown.

MORE: Ranking the 2026 WBC teams from best (USA) to worst (Czechia)

2026 World Baseball Classic odds

All odds according to DraftKings

Who will win the World Baseball Classic in 2026?

Only three teams have won the World Baseball Classic in its history, so those teams are unsurprisingly the three favorites entering the tournament.

Team USA (-110)

The United States are the odds-on favorite to win the 2026 World Baseball Classic, employing some of the best players in the majors. Three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge leads the stacked lineup that features stars like Bryce Harper, Cal Raleigh and Bobby Witt Jr., producing perhaps the deepest lineup in the tournament. However, unlike previous years, Team USA was able to recruit star pitchers as well, with this year's rotation headlined by Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal.

MORE:Inside Team USA's WBC roster for 2026

Japan (+330)

The defending champions are back, looking for their WBC-leading fourth title. Of course, Shohei Ohtani will highlight the offense, but the superstar isn't expected to pitch this time around. However, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will lead the rotation fresh off his unbelievable performance in the 2025 World Series. Other star players on this roster include Seiya Suzuki, Munetaka Murakami, and Kazuma Okamoto, representing an experience-heavy team. If there are any weaknesses, it could be defense as the team tries to get its best offense on the field.

Dominican Republic (+450)

After being a favorite in 2023, the Dominican Republic disappointed by not making it out of the group stages despite being a favorite. However, the team is still full of stars like Juan Soto, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Julio Rodriguez and Fernando Tatis Jr., and it should have a better showing this time around. On the pitching side, the D.R. will lean on Cristopher Sanchez and Sandy Alcantara to win the WBC title for the first time since 2013.

MORE: Why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is playing for the Dominican Republic

World Baseball Classic sleepers 2026

While the WBC is usually top-heavy, there are a few teams that could be the sleepers in this year's tournament.

Mexico (+2200)

Mexico was a breakout team in 2023, making it all the way to the semifinals before losing to Japan in a heartbreaker. Now, Mexico returns a solid team with Randy Arozarena, Jarren Duran, Jonathan Aranda and Alejandro Kirk leading the offense, and the pitching staff is buoyed by a bullpen that features Andres Munoz and Victor Vodnik. Another deep run is not out of the question.

Canada (+5000)

After the best Toronto Blue Jays season in three decades, baseball in Canada is in a great spot. While Freddie Freeman is not participating in this WBC, Josh Naylor helps replace him to lead a Canadian team featuring MLB veterans and top prospects. On offense, Owen Caissie is a potential breakout player, while Edoard Julien, Tyler O'Neil and Bo Naylor are all everyday players in the majors who will represent Canada. The pitching this time around should be better, with Jameson Taillon set to pitch in the rotation with a returning Cal Quantrill.

MORE: Why Freddie Freeman won't be playing in 2026 WBC

Italy (+8000)

Vinnie Pasquantino made it his mission to recruit as many major leaguers for Team Italy as he could, and the result is Italy's best WBC team to date. Hitters Jac Caglianone, Jakob Marsee and Kyle Teel are young players with high ceilings, who all made their major league debuts in 2025. On the pitching side, Aaron Nola is at the front of the rotation coming off a brutal season last year, but he and Michael Lorenzen represent significant upgrades from Italy's pitching in 2023.