Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Shohei Ohtani is the main attraction as Japan hosts the Group C games of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. The Los Angeles Angels superstar’s image is plastered throughout the Tokyo Dome, and his jerseys are selling briskly in the merchandise center. While Ohtani is expected to only bat for Japan and not pitch, he left the door open to potentially facing USA’s Mike Trout again if he shows up. Japan is the defending WBC champion and is favored to advance to the quarterfinals, with a powerful lineup led by Ohtani, Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto and Seiya Suzuki.

Why it matters

The World Baseball Classic is a major international baseball tournament that showcases the sport’s top talent. Japan’s hosting of the Group C games puts the spotlight on Shohei Ohtani, who has become a global superstar and one of the faces of the game. The tournament provides an opportunity for younger players like Australia’s Travis Bazzana to compete against the best, while also renewing the rivalry between Japan and the United States.

The details

Ohtani has not yet recorded a hit in exhibition games leading up to the WBC, but he is expected to be the centerpiece of Japan’s offense. The pitching staff has lost some key arms from 2023, but will be anchored by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 2022 World Series MVP and Ohtani’s Dodgers teammate. Australia’s Travis Bazzana, the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, will be looking to make a name for himself against the powerhouse Japanese team.

Japan begins play in the WBC on Friday, March 4, 2026 against Taiwan.The WBC final is scheduled to take place in Miami.
The players

Shohei Ohtani

The Los Angeles Angels superstar and two-way player is the main attraction for the WBC games in Japan.

Travis Bazzana

The second baseman for Australia, he was selected as the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the first from his country to occupy that spot.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

The pitching anchor for Japan, he is the 2022 World Series MVP and Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers teammate.

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What they’re saying

“I personally believe he is the greatest of all time. He epitomizes the work ethic and mastering his craft in baseball. That is someone I look up to, but when it comes to that game in a couple of days — you can’t focus on who’s across the field.”

— Travis Bazzana (wklh.com)

“Every time I join (the Japanese team) there are younger and younger players — younger players are increasing. So I feel I’m getting old.”

— Shohei Ohtani (wklh.com)

What’s next

The winner of Group C will advance to the quarterfinals in the United States.

The takeaway

The World Baseball Classic in Japan showcases the global appeal of Shohei Ohtani, who has become one of the faces of baseball. The tournament also provides a platform for up-and-coming players like Australia’s Travis Bazzana to compete against the world’s best, while renewing the rivalry between baseball powerhouses Japan and the United States.