First pitch for the 2023 World Baseball Classic is set for Tuesday, March 7, as baseball’s premier international event returns for the first time since 2017.
After the 2021 edition was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-awaited fifth tournament will expand from 16 countries to 20. All 16 teams from 2017 automatically qualified along with four newcomers.
With some of baseball’s biggest stars representing their nations in international ball — many for the first time — here’s everything you need to know.
Which countries are participating in the World Baseball Classic?
The 20 countries for the World Baseball Classic are split into five pools.