Mexico: World Baseball Classic 2026 Preview -

Baseball in Mexico is more than a pastime – it’s a pulse. From the winter league cauldrons of Culiacán to the sea of green that rolled through the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the sport carries noise, flair and genuine expectation.

Three years ago, Mexico went toe-to-toe with the world’s best and came within a single swing of the final, forcing eventual champions Japan to walk it off in a semi-final for the ages. That run changed the conversation. Heading into 2026, Team Mexico aren’t chasing respect; they’re chasing a title.

World Baseball Classic: Pool B

Brazil
Great Britain
Italy
Mexico
USA

MEXICO

WBC best results: Third (semi-final)
Current world ranking: 6
Manager: Benji Gil

What happened at the last WBC?

Full of optimism, Mexico opened against Colombia… and were stunned. Three runs by Jorge Alfaro, including the extra-innings winner, extinguished the early enthusiasm on day one.

Benji Gil’s green army regrouped for a showdown with the USA, knowing defeat would likely mean elimination. In front of the biggest crowd of the 2023 WBC, Joey Meneses crushed two homers in an 11–5 humbling of the hosts.

Routine wins over Canada and Great Britain followed, sending Mexico into the quarter-finals – and that’s when the tournament truly caught fire.

Mexico 5–4 Puerto Rico: Javier Báez and Eddie Rosario struck early with first-inning homers to build a four-run lead. Mexico chipped away, and in the seventh, Austin Barnes, Randy Arozarena, and Alex Verdugo all crossed the plate to flip the game. Closer Giovanny Gallegos made it tense by allowing two baserunners, but slammed the door to send Mexico to the semis.

Mexico 5-6 Japan: A tense pitching duel was broken when Luis Urías – of all people – launched a three-run homer in the fourth. Masataka Yoshida replied with his own three-run bomb, but runs from Randy Arozarena and Jarren Duran handed Mexico the lead entering the ninth. With two out and WBC exit imminent, Shohei Ohtani – you’ve heard of him – came to the plate. He doubled, Yoshida walked, and White Sox’s new slugger Munetaka Murakami hit the walk-off that broke Mexican hearts.

Mexico: Three to watch

Randy Arozarena: The poster boy of WBC 2023 and fresh off the lowest-of-profile 27-homer, 31-stolen base campaigns. I guess that’s what happens when you (a) play in Seattle and (b) are overshadowed by your catcher. Whether at the plate or on the field, Arozarena is the pulsing heart and infectious energy of this Mexican roster

Side note: With the British media disinterested in baseball, it fell to Bat Flips & Nerds to provide coverage of the 2023 tournament from Phoenix. We were honoured that WBC invited us to cast the “Player of the Pool” vote for the UK – which Russ duly submitted for Arozarena.

Look out for Russell Eassom’s WBC coverage of the 2026 tournament from both the Pool B in Houston and the knockout stages in Miami.

Alejandro Kirk: In a world without Giants’ Patrick Bailey, Kirk is so far ahead of the next-best catcher it’s almost unfair. At just 27, he’s entering his prime and arrives at the WBC fresh off an All-Star season – one which came within an Isiah Kiner-Falefa stutter of a World Series ring.

Andres Muñoz: With 83 strikeouts in 63 innings, Muñoz’s dominance will shorten games for Mexico. He is arguably the most consistent closer of the last two seasons – well, he is the only 60-save, sub 2.00 ERA reliever not under investigation for game-fixing.

Potential X-factor

Jarren Duran: If 2023 was Arozarena’s World Baseball Classic, 2026 could be Duran’s. Boston’s dynamic centre fielder combines lightning speed with unworldly defensive skills. The 29-year-old leads the majors in at-bats over the last couple of seasons, which is pretty amazing durability considering how he throws himself around the field. If Mexico advances to the latter stages, expect Duran’s role to be pivotal.

Verdict

Mexico might be the strongest nation never to have reached the World Baseball Classic final – although Venezuela might have a thing or two to say about that.

Reminder: Mexico beat the USA in the pool stage and came within one out of dumping Japan in the semi-final.

On paper, the 2026 roster looks even deeper, and guys like Kirk, Muñoz, and Duran are better players than three years ago.

But beware, this format feeds on upsets. Every game is a potential trap for Mexico. Don’t discount Brazil or Italy springing a surprise in Houston, and certainly don’t dismiss Great Britain’s chances of landing an Opening Day punch that resurrects the ghosts of Colombia 2023.

Re-live the last GB v Mexico clash before tuning in, at the very civilised 6pm GMT, on Friday 6 March. This one is must-see TV.

Featured image of Luis Urias of Team Mexico reacting after hitting a three-run home run in the fourth inning against Japan during the World Baseball Classic Semi-finals by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Don’t forget to check out the Bat Flips & Nerds WBC Preview podcast