World Baseball Classic Semifinals Set: USA Faces Dominican Republic, Italy to Challenge Venezuela

The stage is set for the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with thrilling quarterfinal matchups concluding on Saturday, March 15th. Defending champions Japan were stunned by Venezuela, while Italy continued its improbable run with a victory over Puerto Rico. Now, the United States will battle the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela will face Italy, with the winners advancing to the championship game.

Quarterfinal Results

• Venezuela 8, Japan 5: Venezuela rallied to eliminate the defending champions, marking Japan’s worst finish in World Baseball Classic history. CBS Sports
• Italy 8, Puerto Rico 6: Italy upset Puerto Rico to advance to the semifinals. MLB.com
• USA 5, Canada 3: The United States held off a challenge from Canada. FOX Sports
• Dominican Republic 10, Korea 0: The Dominican Republic dominated Korea to secure their spot in the semifinals. FOX Sports

Semifinal Schedule (All Times Eastern)

• Sunday, March 15: Dominican Republic vs. USA (8:00 PM ET, FS1)
• Monday, March 16: Italy vs. Venezuela (8:00 PM ET, FS1)

Championship Game

• Tuesday, March 17: Semifinal 1 Winner vs. Semifinal 2 Winner (8:00 PM ET, FOX)

Pool Results Recap

• Pool A: Canada and Puerto Rico advanced.
• Pool B: Italy and the United States advanced.
• Pool C: Japan finished unbeaten.
• Pool D: Venezuela and the Netherlands advanced.

Key Storylines

• Venezuela’s Upset: Venezuela’s victory over Japan is a major upset, signaling a potential shift in the balance of power in the tournament.
• Italy’s Run: Italy’s unexpected success has been one of the biggest stories of the tournament.
• USA and Dominican Republic Clash: The matchup between the USA and the Dominican Republic promises to be a high-powered affair.

Where to Watch

The semifinals and championship game will be broadcast on FS1 and FOX. Fans can too stream the World Baseball Classic on Fubo.