Italy Stuns USA, Advances to WBC Quarterfinals – Full Bracket & Results

Updated March 12, 2026, 8:00 AM ET

Team Italy’s remarkable run in the 2026 World Baseball Classic continued with a stunning 8-6 victory over the heavily favored United States, throwing the tournament bracket into disarray. Italy finished Pool B play undefeated at 4-0, securing a quarterfinal berth. The loss jeopardized Team USA’s chances, but they ultimately advanced with a 3-1 record.

World Baseball Classic Bracket

Here’s a look at the current bracket as of March 12, 2026:

• Quarterfinal 1: South Korea vs. Pool D winner
• Quarterfinal 2: Canada vs. USA
• Quarterfinal 3: Puerto Rico vs. Italy
• Quarterfinal 4: Japan vs. Pool D runner-up

World Baseball Classic Pool Standings

Pool A (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

• Canada: 3-1*
• Puerto Rico: 3-1*
• Cuba: 2-2
• Colombia: 1-3
• Panama: 1-3

Pool B (Houston)

• Italy: 4-0*
• USA: 3-1*
• Mexico: 2-2
• Great Britain: 1-3
• Brazil: 0-4

Pool C (Tokyo)

• Japan: 4-0*
• Korea: 2-2*
• Australia: 2-2
• Chinese Taipei: 2-2
• Czechia: 0-4

Pool D (Miami)

• Venezuela: 3-0*
• Dominican Republic: 3-0*
• Israel: 2-2
• Netherlands: 1-3
• Nicaragua: 0-4

* – indicates clinched spot in quarterfinals

Recent World Baseball Classic Results

March 4

• USA 15, Brazil 5
• Japan 13, Taiwan 0 (7 innings)
• Cuba 3, Panama 1
• Venezuela 6, Netherlands 2
• Mexico 8, Great Britain 2
• Puerto Rico 5, Colombia 0
• Dominican Republic 12, Nicaragua 3
• Australia 5, Czechia 1

March 5

• United States 9, Great Britain 1
• Japan 8, Korea 6
• Canada 8, Colombia 2
• Netherlands 4, Nicaragua 3
• Italy 8, Brazil 0
• Puerto Rico 4, Panama 3 (10 innings)
• Venezuela 11, Israel 3
• Taiwan 14, Czechia 0 (7 innings)

March 6

• Japan 4, Australia 3
• Cuba 7, Colombia 4
• Dominican Republic 12, Netherlands 1 (7 innings)
• Italy 7, Great Britain 4
• Israel 5, Nicaragua 0
• Panama 4, Canada 3
• Mexico 16, Brazil 0 (6 innings)
• Taiwan 5, Korea 4 (10 innings)

March 7

• United States 5, Mexico 3
• Korea 7, Australia 2
• Dominican Republic 10, Israel 1
• Colombia 4, Panama 3
• Great Britain 8, Brazil 1
• Puerto Rico 4, Cuba 1
• Venezuela 4, Nicaragua 0

March 8

• Japan 9, Czechia 0
• Canada 3, Puerto Rico 2
• Israel 6, Netherlands 2
• Italy 8, United States 6

March 11

• Italy defeated Mexico, securing the top spot in Pool B.
• Venezuela and the Dominican Republic both clinched quarterfinal berths with 3-0 records in Pool D.

Tiebreaker Scenarios Explained

The tiebreaker rules for Pool B were complex. Italy’s win over the USA and subsequent victory against Mexico simplified matters, securing their spot atop the pool. The USA advanced with a 3-1 record. The tiebreaker considered runs allowed per out recorded.

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