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Team Japan is the reigning champion of the World Baseball Classic.
They won the 2023 tournament, beating the United States 3-2 in the final. The ending to the game is one of the most memorable moments in baseball's recent history, as Japanese pitcher Shohei Ohtani struck out his teammate at the time, Mike Trout, to end the game.
Team Japan has dominated the World Baseball Classic since its inception in 2006. Japan won the first two WBCs, finished third in both 2013 and 2017, and won the 2023 tournament. This year, Japan will host a pool consisting of Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia and South Korea, which will do their best to make history and take down Team Japan in the round-robin stage.
Here is everything to know about Team Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic roster.
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Japan World Baseball Classic 2026 roster
Team Japan has a 30-man roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. They have opted to split their roster into 14 pitchers and 16 hitters. It is worth noting that Ohtani is expected to only hit this year, and will not pitch.
One noteworthy thing about the Japanese roster is that they opted to carry three catchers.
Pitchers
| Player | Team | Throws |
| Shoma Fujihara | -- | R |
| Hiromi Itoh | -- | R |
| Yusei Kikuchi | Los Angeles Angels | L |
| Koki Kitayama | -- | R |
| Yuki Matsui | San Diego Padres | L |
| Yuki Matsumoto | -- | R |
| Hiroya Miyagi | -- | L |
| Taisei Ota | -- | R |
| Ryuhei Sotani | -- | L |
| Tomoyuki Sugano | Colorado Rockies | R |
| Chihiro Sumida | -- | L |
| Hiroto Takahashi | -- | R |
| Atsuki Taneichi | -- | R |
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | Los Angeles Dodgers | R |
Catchers
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Yuhei Nakamura | -- | R/R |
| Seishiro Sakamoto | -- | R/R |
| Kenya Wakatsuki | -- | R/R |
Infielders
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Sosuke Genda | -- | L/R |
| Kaito Kozono | -- | L/R |
| Shugo Maki | -- | R/R |
| Taisei Makihara | -- | L/R |
| Munetaka Murakami | Chicago White Sox | L/R |
| Kazuma Okamota | Toronto Blue Jays | R/R |
| Teruaki Sato | -- | L/R |
Outfielders
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Kensuke Kondo | -- | L/R |
| Shota Morishita | -- | R/R |
| Ukyo Shuto | -- | R/R |
| Seiya Suzuki | Chicago Cubs | R/R |
| Masataka Yoshida | Boston Red Sox | L/R |
Designated hitter
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Dodgers | L/R |
MORE: Is Shohei Ohtani the GOAT?
Japan players to watch in World Baseball Classic
All eyes will be on Ohtani as he serves as Team Japan's designated hitter for the World Baseball Classic, but he isn't the only star to watch. MLB fans will know that opposing hitters still have to look out for Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound, as well as Seiya Suzuki and Masataka Yoshida at the plate. Those who watched the 2023 WBC will remember Kensuke Kondo, who hit .346 with four doubles and a home run.
Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto will be important to watch at the 2026 WBC. Both made names for themselves in the NPB, and will be debuting in MLB this year, with Murakami signing with the Chicago White Sox and Okamoto going to the Toronto Blue Jays.
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Who is coaching Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic?
Hirokazu Ibata will be Japan's manager for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Ibata played in the NPB from 1998 to 2015. After retiring, he signed on to be the coach of the Yomiuri Giants from 2016 to 2018. Ibata first coached Team Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and the championship victory was certainly enough evidence he deserved to be back in 2026.
Team Japan will have two pitching coaches, with Atsushi Nohmi and Kazuki Yoshimi. Makoto Kaneko will be the bench coach, Yoshinori Murata will be the bullpen coach and Nobuhiro Matsuda will be the game planning coach. Yoshiyuki Kamei will serve as the first base coach, while Eishin Soyogi will be his counterpart as the third base coach.
MORE: What is the Shohei Ohtani rule?
Japan World Baseball Classic history
Japan has been the most dominant team in the World Baseball Classic since its inception. Team Japan won the inaugural WBC in 2006 and followed it up with another tournament win in 2009. They showed they were human in 2013 and 2017, finishing third.
Team Japan won the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The win was clinched in a now-iconic moment when Shohei Ohtani struck out his former teammate Mike Trout to help Japan beat the United States 3-2 to win its third WBC title.
| Year | Result | Final Game |
| 2006 | Won Championship | 10-6 win over Cuba |
| 2009 | Won Championship | 5-3 win over South Korea (10 innings) |
| 2013 | Third Place | 3-1 loss to Puerto Rico |
| 2017 | Third Placee | 2-1 loss to USA |
| 2023 | Won Championship | 3-2 win over USA |
| 2026 | TBD | TBD |
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Japan World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule
| Fri, March 6 | Japan vs. Chinese Taipai | 5 a.m. | FS1, Fubo |
| Sat., March 7 | Japan vs. South Korea | 5 a.m. | FS1, Fubo |
| Mon., March 9 | Japan vs. Australia | 6 a.m. | FS1, Fubo |
| Wed., March 11 | Japan vs. Czechia | 6 a.m. | FS1, Fubo |
| March 13 or 14 | Quarterfinals | TBD | TBD |
| March 15 or 16 | Semifinals | 8 p.m. | FS1, Fubo |
| March 17 | Championship | 8 p.m. | Fox, Fubo |
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