2026 World Baseball Classic Scores and Standings: USA vs Mexico TONIGHT at 8 PM ET, Cuba-Puerto Rico Historic Clash, Japan 3-0
Monday, March 9, 2026 is the biggest day of WBC pool play yet. Tonight's USA vs Mexico showdown at Daikin Park in Houston is the marquee matchup of the entire opening round, Cuba and Puerto Rico meet for the first time in the WBC in 20 years, and Japan has already clinched the top seed in Pool C after surviving Australia in a nail-biting Sunday thriller. Here is every score, every standing, and every game you need to know.
Japan 4, Australia 3: Defending Champs Survive a Scare Sunday Morning
Japan clinched the No. 1 spot in Pool C with a 4-3 win over Australia on Sunday, March 8. The defending WBC champions had to sweat it out against an Australian side that pushed them all the way — and earned the Pool C top seed in the process, setting up a more favorable quarterfinal path toward Miami.
Japan went 3-0 in pool play, with Shohei Ohtani powering the team throughout with multiple home runs across the opening three games. The defending champions look every bit capable of a back-to-back WBC title — and their route to Miami is now set.
Full WBC Scores: Every Result Through Sunday March 8
Friday, March 6: Japan 13, Chinese Taipei 0. Cuba 3, Panama 1. Venezuela 6, Netherlands 2. Mexico 8, Great Britain 2. Puerto Rico 5, Colombia 0. Dominican Republic 12, Nicaragua 3. USA 15, Brazil 5. Chinese Taipei 14, Czechia 0.
Saturday, March 7: Japan 8, Korea 6. Canada 8, Colombia 2. Netherlands 4, Nicaragua 3. Italy 8, Brazil 0. Puerto Rico 4, Panama 3. Venezuela 11, Israel 3. USA 9, Great Britain 1. Chinese Taipei 5, Korea 4 (10 innings).
Sunday, March 8: Japan 4, Australia 3. Dominican Republic 12, Netherlands 1 (7 innings — run rule). Cuba 7, Colombia 4.
Updated Pool Standings Through Sunday March 8
Pool A — San Juan, Puerto Rico
| Team | W | L |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 0 |
| Cuba | 2 | 0 |
| Venezuela | 2 | 0 |
| Canada | 1 | 1 |
| Panama | 0 | 2 |
| Colombia | 0 | 3 |
Pool B — Houston, Texas
| Team | W | L |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 2 | 0 |
| Italy | 1 | 1 |
| Mexico | 1 | 1 |
| Great Britain | 0 | 2 |
| Brazil | 0 | 2 |
Pool C — Tokyo, Japan
| Team | W | L |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 3 | 0 |
| Chinese Taipei | 2 | 1 |
| South Korea | 1 | 2 |
| Australia | 0 | 2 |
| Czechia | 0 | 2 |
Pool D — Miami, Florida
| Team | W | L |
|---|---|---|
| Dominican Republic | 2 | 0 |
| Venezuela | 2 | 0 |
| Israel | 0 | 1 |
| Netherlands | 0 | 2 |
| Nicaragua | 0 | 2 |
Tonight's Monday WBC Schedule: Cuba vs Puerto Rico Headlines the Day
Monday March 9 complete schedule: South Korea vs. Australia at 6 a.m. ET on FS1. Dominican Republic vs. Israel at noon ET on FS1. Colombia vs. Panama at noon ET on FS2. Brazil vs. Great Britain at 1 p.m. ET on Tubi. Cuba vs. Puerto Rico at 7 p.m. ET on FS1. Venezuela vs. Nicaragua at 7 p.m. ET on FS2. Mexico vs. United States at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
Cuba and Puerto Rico clash in the WBC for the first time in 20 years tonight at 7 p.m. ET on FS1 — a historic matchup between two Caribbean baseball powers that are both 2-0 heading into the contest. The winner could clinch Pool A outright.
USA vs Mexico Tonight: The Pool B Showdown That Could Define Everything
Mexico carries a 1-1 record into tonight's matchup against the USA — the Mexicans beat Great Britain in the opener before falling to Brazil 6-3 on Sunday. For Team USA, a win tonight clinches Pool B outright and secures the No. 1 seed into the quarterfinals. A loss makes Tuesday's Italy game a must-win.
Paul Skenes is expected to take the mound for Team USA tonight against Mexico — one of the most anticipated individual pitching performances of the entire tournament. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace was dominant in pre-tournament exhibition games and his velocity and movement have drawn comparisons to the best WBC pitching performances in the event's history. First pitch is 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox from Daikin Park in Houston. The road to Miami runs directly through tonight.
