WBC Scores and Standings 2026: Japan Clinches Quarterfinals, USA vs. Mexico Looms Monday Night
The 2026 World Baseball Classic is in full swing, and Day 4 delivered some of the tournament's most dramatic moments yet. Japan survived a scare from Australia, the Dominican Republic steamrolled the Netherlands, and the path to Miami is becoming clear across all four pools.
Japan vs. Australia WBC Score: Yoshida's Homer Seals 4-3 Thriller in Tokyo
Masataka Yoshida slugged a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning as Japan claimed Pool C supremacy with a 4-3 victory over Australia at Tokyo Dome on Sunday, March 8. It was Yoshida's fourth career WBC home run, the most ever by a Japanese player — surpassing even Shohei Ohtani.
Starters Tomoyuki Sugano and Connor MacDonald combined for just five hits over the first four innings, keeping the game scoreless into the fifth. Australia drew first blood when Aaron Whitefield doubled, stole third, and scored on a wild throw to put the Australians up 1-0 in the sixth.
Japan added two more runs in the eighth. Australia refused to die, with solo home runs from Alex Hall and Rixon Wingrove in the ninth to close within 4-3, but Japan sealed the win when Robbie Perkins grounded out to third.
Ohtani finished 0-for-3 with two walks in the game. Japan added two more runs in the eighth on a pinch-hit RBI double from Teruaki Sato and Seiya Suzuki drawing a bases-loaded walk after Ohtani was intentionally walked.
Updated WBC Standings Across All Four Pools
The updated World Baseball Classic standings entering Monday, March 9 are as follows:
Pool C (Tokyo): Japan 3-0, South Korea 2-2, Australia 2-1, Chinese Taipei 2-2, Czechia 0-3
Pool D (Miami): Venezuela 2-0, Dominican Republic 2-0, Israel 1-1, Netherlands 1-2, Nicaragua 0-3
Pool A (San Juan): Puerto Rico 2-0, Cuba 2-0, Panama 2-1, Canada 1-2, Colombia 0-3
Pool B (Houston): Italy and Mexico are both unbeaten at 2-0, with the United States at 2-0 as well, setting up a blockbuster Monday night showdown
WBC Sunday Results: Dominican Republic Crushes Netherlands by Mercy Rule
Juan Soto delivered the walk-off two-run blast as the Dominican Republic crushed the Netherlands 12-1 in just seven innings by mercy rule in Miami. It was a dominant wire-to-wire performance that keeps the D.R. undefeated and firmly in control of Pool D.
Mexico also invoked the mercy rule, overpowering Brazil 16-0 in six innings in Houston. Cuba defeated Colombia 7-4 in San Juan, Italy beat Great Britain 7-4 in Houston, Panama edged Canada 4-3, and Israel shut out Nicaragua 5-0.
WBC Monday Schedule: USA vs. Mexico Headlines Day 5
Monday's marquee matchup pits the United States against Mexico at 8:00 p.m. ET on Fox in Houston, a Pool B clash that could determine which team finishes as group leader heading into the quarterfinals.
Paul Skenes is set to take the mound for Team USA. South Korea faced Australia earlier Monday at 6:00 a.m. ET, with the Domincan Republic and Israel meeting at noon ET on FS1, and Puerto Rico hosting Cuba at 7:00 p.m. ET on FS1.
Japan, now 3-0 and already through to the quarterfinals, closes out pool play Tuesday against eliminated Czechia before heading to Miami for the knockout phase. The WBC championship final is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, at loanDepot Park in Miami.
