When is the next World Baseball Classic?

The WBC, despite some major injuries suffered by the likes of Mets closer Edwin Diaz, was a huge success. So, when is the next World Baseball Classic?

The World Baseball Classic finally received the media attention the tournament deserves, and much of that can be blamed on the timing of the tournament. Just before the MLB season, baseball fans are anxious for competitive baseball.

While Team USA didn’t field the same All-Star team many other countries were able to, they still had one hell of a group which captured the excitement of fans everywhere. Trout vs. Ohtani with the WBC on the line? What else could we ask for?

This year’s WBC was so successful it has many around the Twittersphere wondering — just how long do we have to wait for the next tournament?

When is the next World Baseball Classic?

The next World Baseball Classic will be played in 2026. Typically, the tournament is played every four years. While this WBC was hosted in 2023, it was supposed to be played in 2022, but the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to those thoughts.

While injuries such as the Edwin Diaz season-ending ailment put the tournament in question to some American fans, that was quickly put to bed by international players — including Diaz’s own Mets teammate in Francisco Lindor. Rob Manfred commented on Diaz’s injury, and the WBC as a whole, earlier this week.

“Maybe the best testimony to it, after the unfortunate injury [Edwin] Díaz had, how the players came out & spoke in support of the tournament,” Manfred told reporters, including James Wagner of the New York Times. “It’s an indication that they really, really care.”

The 2026 edition of the tournament will be fascinating. Will Diaz’s injury have an impact on who participates in the WBC long-term? Will stars still be willing to put their bodies on the line?

Time will tell.