The Dominican Republic's WBC lineup looks even more stacked with Soto

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

The Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic lineup looks even more stacked after Juan Soto announcement

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Feb 1, 2026 6:27 PM ET

The Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic lineup just became even more loaded.

The New York Mets confirmed Sunday that right fielder Juan Soto will play for the Dominican Republic in the WBC, scheduled for March 5-17. The Dominican Republic is set to play in Pool D at loanDepot Park in Miami during the first round. The site also hosts the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship.

The Dominican Republic will certainly welcome four-time All-Star Soto playing in the tournament, which is typically held every four years. Still, it could win the WBC without him.

The lineup of the Dominican Republic was already deep before Juan Soto announcement

Soto is joining a squad that includes Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. The Dominican Republic didn't forget to bring top-notch pitching, either. Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara is planning to play in the WBC.

Juan Soto will play for the Dominican Republic in the @WBCBaseball! pic.twitter.com/v4MD33vukX
— New York Mets (@Mets) February 1, 2026

Soto struggled to meet expectations in 2025 after leaving the New York Yankees and signing a record-breaking 15-year, $765M deal with the Mets. However, he finished strong.

In 160 regular-season games, he slashed a solid .263/.396/.525. The 27-year-old outfielder finished third in National League MVP voting behind Philadelphia Phillies left fielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani.

Soto excelled in the 2023 WBC. He finished 6-for-15 at the plate with two home runs and three RBI. The Dominican Republic, though, failed to make it out of Pool D.

Now that Soto and other stars are playing for the country, figure on it going much farther this time. As of Sunday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives the Dominican Republic the third-best odds (+420) to win the tournament, behind Japan and the United States.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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