World Baseball Classic: Can Australia Repeat 2023 Result?

James Stuart

The 2026 World Baseball Classic looms as another defining chapter for Australian baseball. After a breakthrough quarterfinal run in 2023, Australia returns to the global stage with belief, but also with the full weight of a brutally competitive pool. From March 5, the Aussies will face Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Czechia, with only the top two advancing.

Japan

The reigning champions and world No. 1 are once again stacked with elite talent. Shohei Ohtani remains the sport’s most magnetic figure, and he’s supported by frontline arms like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and proven MLB bat Seiya Suzuki. Japan topped Australia 7–1 in 2023 and rarely look rattled in this tournament format.

Anything other than them winning the group would be a shock. For Australia, the focus is likely on who joins them.

Korea

South Korea's national baseball team carry pedigree, but also pressure.Runners-up in 2009, Korea haven’t advanced beyond the pool stage since. That’s a long drought for a proud baseball nation. The talent is there: dynamic outfielder Jung Hoo Lee headlines the squad, with emerging contributors like Shay Whitcomb and Hyeseong Kim adding depth.

Australia stunned Korea 8–7 in 2023 in one of the tournament’s defining upsets. Expect revenge to be on their minds.

Chinese Taipei

With MLB-linked talent such as Stuart Fairchild and highly regarded infielder Tsung-Che Cheng, they blend speed, contact hitting and sharp defensive fundamentals. On paper, they may not carry Japan’s star power, but they’re more than capable of upsetting anyone on their day.

Czechia

They were competitive in 2023 but remain, on paper, the most manageable matchup in the pool. Australia handled them 8–3 last time, and anything less than a win here would seriously dent quarterfinal hopes. Still, the Czechs proved three years ago that they won’t be overwhelmed by the stage.

Australia

Top draft pick Travis Bazzana shapes as the face of the new generation. His bat could be pivotal in tight games against Korea and Chinese Taipei.

Then there’s Liam Hendriks, with nearly 500 MLB appearances to his name, who may be suiting up for his final World Baseball Classic. His presence in high-leverage innings is invaluable in a tournament where one swing can decide advancement.

Australia’s 2023 campaign proved they belong at this level. But replicating that success won’t be straightforward. The three Asian sides in the group bring structure, depth and immense baseball culture.

Japan are hot favourites to top the group.That leaves Australia in a three-way arm wrestle with Korea and Chinese Taipei for second. Head-to-head matchups will decide it. Run differential may matter. Bullpen management will matter even more.