Shohei Ohtani and Japan will look to defend their World Baseball Classic crown in 2026, three years after defeating Team USA in an instant classic of a final, the country’s third win in five editions of the international tournament.
Ohtani struck out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout to clinch that victory, and the now-Dodgers star has earned three more MVP awards and two World Series titles since the famous night in Miami. However, Ohtani won’t pitch in the WBC and will just be used as a hitter.
Japan’s squad also features MLB All-Stars including Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers) and Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) and two top players who are joining MLB this season in sluggers Munetaka Murakami (White Sox) and Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays).
Japan begins pool play in Tokyo on March 6.
Here’s a look at Japan’s squad for the 2026 WBC:
Japan World Baseball Classic roster
Pitchers
- Daichi Ishii
- Hiromi Itoh
- Yusei Kikuchi
- Koki Kitayama
- Taisei Makihara
- Yuki Matsui
- Yuki Matsumoto
- Hiroya Miyagi
- Taisei Ota
- Ryuhei Sotani
- Tomoyuki Sugano
- Kaima Taira
- Hiroto Takahashi
- Atsuki Taneichi
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Catchers
- Yuhei Nakamura
- Seishiro Sakamoto
- Kenya Wakatsuki
Infielders
- Sosuke Genda
- Kaito Kozono
- Shugo Maki
- Munetaka Murakami
- Kazuma Okamoto
- Teruaki Sato
Outfielders
- Kensuke Kondoh
- Shota Morishita
- Ukyo Shuto
- Masataka Yoshida
- Seiya Suzuki
Designated hitters
- Shohei Ohtani
Managers and coaches
- Hirokazu Ibata (manager)
- Makat Kanero (bench coach)
- Atsushi Nohmi (pitching coach)
- Kazuki Yoshimi (pitching coach)
- Yoshiyuki Kamei (first base coach)
- Eishin Soyogi (third base coach)
- Yoshinori Murata (bullpen coach)
Is Shohei Ohtani pitching in the WBC?
Shohei Ohtani confirmed that he will not pitch in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and will only be used as a hitter. Ohtani returned to the mound for the Dodgers in 2025 after missing all of 2024 as he recovered from an elbow injury – while hitting full time.
Japan World Baseball Classic schedule
Pool play – Tokyo Dome
- March 6 vs. Chinese Taipei
- March 7 vs. South Korea
- March 8 vs. Australia
- March 10 vs. Czechia
Knockout round
- Quarterfinals: March 13/14 in Miami
- Semifinals: March 15/16 in Miami
- Final: March 17 in Miami