World Classic 2026: how were the quarterfinal matches?

ByDavid Mitchell
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Following the close of the group stage, attention is now focused on the matchups that will define who will reach the semifinal stage of the tournament.

The end of an exciting group stage in the World Baseball Classic 2026 gives way to what is expected to be a zero-waste quarterfinal stage, with the eight best teams in the tournament facing each other. Two squads from each of the four groups that formed the first stage will now meet each other in direct elimination matches to determine who will advance to an eventual semifinal.

They advanced through Group A (San Juan) Canada as first and Puerto Rico as second. In Group B (Houston) they went to the quarterfinals Italy as group leader and USA in second place. Group C (Tokyo) saw Japan in first place already South Korea as second. Finally, Group D (Miami) has Dominican Republic as your winner already Venezuela as second.

Taking into account which eight teams advanced, let’s talk about the crossovers we will see in the quarterfinals.

Friday March 13

The first match of the quarterfinals will be the one starring South Korea (second in Group C) against Dominican Republic (winner of Group D). This game will have the Quisqueyans as the home team and will be played at 6:30 PM (Eastern Time in the United States) at the loanDepot Park in Miami.

In the second hour, that same day, USA (second in Group B) will collide with Canada (winner of Group A) at 8:00 PM at Daikin Park in Houston.

Saturday March 14

Italy (winner of Group B) will receive Puerto Rico (second in Group A) for the first match of the day on Saturday. This game is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM at Daikin Park.

The quarterfinal phase closes with the clash between Venezuela (second in Group D) and Japan (winner of Group C) at loanDepot Park, which will start at 9:00 PM

Semifinals and final

For the last two stages of the tournament, everything will be played at the loanDepot Park in the city of Miami. The semi-final matches will be determined once the quarter-final stage concludes. The winners of their respective semifinals will meet in the championship game.

These semi-finals will be played on consecutive days, on March 15 and 16, with the final being played on the 17th.

David Mitchell
David Mitchell

As a passionate sports journalist with over a decade of experience, I strive to uncover the heart and soul behind every game. Supported by a dedicated team of fellow enthusiasts and storytellers, I am committed to delivering insightful and engaging content that connects fans worldwide. Together, we celebrate the victories, challenges, and unifying spirit of sports through every article we craft.