World Baseball Classic announces 2023 schedule, pools

United State players hold up the championship trophy after defeating Puerto Rico in the final of the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium. Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

World Baseball Classic announces schedule, pools for return in 2023

By Adam Stites | Last updated Jul 7, 2022 3:16 PM ET

The World Baseball Classic will return in 2023 with games held in Taichung, Tokyo, Phoenix and Miami, the tournament announced Thursday.

The first game is set for March 8 with the championship game scheduled for March 21 in Miami. Qualifiers to determine the last four teams in the field will happen in September and October.

The first World Baseball Classic was held in 2006 with later tournaments in 2009, 2013 and 2017. It was set to return in 2021 but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It'll now return after a six-year hiatus with a field that will expand from 16 to 20.

The 16 teams from the last tournament, including the defending champion United States, will play in 2023 with 12 teams competing for the additional four spots.

Taichung, Tokyo, Phoenix, and Miami are ready!

Here is the official tournament format for the #WorldBaseballClassic 2023. ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/co0IxZZad4
— WBC Baseball (@WBCBaseball) July 7, 2022

The United States will compete in Pool C along with Mexico, Colombia, Canada and one of the four qualifiers. Japan, winner of the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009, is in Pool B with Korea, Australia, China and a qualifier. The 2013 champion Dominican Republic is in Pool D with two-time runner-up Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Israel and a qualifier.

Pool C games will be held in Phoenix beginning on March 11 with the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals.

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

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