World Baseball Classic eligibility rules, explained: How players qualify to play for different countries

As the 2026 World Baseball Classic kicks off, the tournament continues to prove that national representation is about more than just a birthplace on a map. While fans are used to seeing players suit up for their home countries, the WBC remains famous for its unique eligibility rules, allowing stars to represent nations based on legal citizenship, residency, or deep-rooted family heritage.

The 2026 edition maintains the flexible criteria that made the previous tournament so competitive. These rules generally focus on a player's eligibility for citizenship rather than just their current passport. For instance, players like Israel’s Joc Pederson or Italy’s Aaron Nola are eligible because of their ancestral ties, even if they were born and raised in the United States. We also see players who have officially naturalized in their new homes, such as Randy Arozarena, who continues to be a cornerstone for Team Mexico after becoming a citizen there.

The scale of the 2026 World Baseball Classic remains at an expanded 20-team field, following the success of the 2023 format. With games spanning from Tokyo and San Juan to Houston and Miami, the tournament highlights the global reach of the sport by including established powerhouses alongside emerging programs like Great Britain and the Czech Republic.

Here are the various circumstances in which players are eligible to play for a country in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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World Baseball Classic eligibility rules

The most obvious reason a player would play for a country is because it's the country he was born in. That's generally why a player represents a country in the World Baseball Classic.

There are, however, numerous exceptions. Arozarena became a Mexican citizen last year, whereas Pederson is eligible for Israeli citizenship because he was born Jewish on his mother's side.

The full list of eligibility rules are, from MLB.com:

• The player previously appeared on a Federation Team’s final roster at the start of either a World Baseball Classic Qualifier or Tournament round; or
•  The player is a citizen of the Federation Team’s country or territory, as evidenced by a valid passport the player holds as of three months prior to the start of the Tournament; or
•  The player is currently a permanent legal resident of the Federation Team’s country or territory, as evidenced by documentation satisfactory to WBCI and the World Baseball Softball Confederation (“WBSC”), or
•  The player was born in the Federation Team’s country or territory, as evidenced by a birth certificate or its equivalent; or
•  The player has at least one parent who is, or if deceased was, a citizen of the Federation Team’s country or territory, as evidenced by a passport or other documentation satisfactory to WBCI and the WBSC; or
•  The player has at least one parent who was born in the Federation Team’s country or territory, as evidenced by a birth certificate or its equivalent; or
•  The player presents documentary evidence satisfactory to WBCI that he would be granted citizenship or a passport in due course under the laws of the Federation Team’s country or territory (excluding any requirement of the Federation Team’s country that the player would need to renounce his current citizenship), if he were to apply for such citizenship or passport.

There are many players who are on a country because one or both of their parents are from the country they're representing as well.

Italy, Great Britain and Israel are all particularly helped by these rules, as they have allowed them to have many MLB players on their rosters, particularly MiLB players. The rules also allow California-born Lars Nootbaar, whose mother is Japanese, to play for Japan and Michigan native Tommy Edman, whose mother was born in Korea, to play for her native country. 

The hope for MLB is that it grows the global game and allows for more parity in these international tournaments. This year's World Baseball Classic will be another solid test of that as these teams continue to build their international rosters.

MORE: Team USA's World Baseball Classic history

World Baseball Classic eligibility rules

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is famous for having the most flexible eligibility rules in international sports. Unlike the FIFA World Cup, where players are generally tied to a nation once they play a competitive match, the WBC allows players to represent countries based on "heritage" even if they have never lived there.

A player is eligible to participate if they meet any one of the following:

• Citizenship: The player is a citizen of the nation and holds a valid passport.
• Permanent Residency: The player is a permanent legal resident of the nation.
• Birthplace: The player was born in the nation or territory.
• Parental Heritage: The player has at least one parent who is a citizen of the nation (or was at the time of their death).
• Parental Birthplace: The player has at least one parent who was born in the nation or territory.
• Legal Eligibility: The player can provide documentary evidence that they would be granted citizenship or a passport under the nation's laws (even if they haven't applied for it yet).
• Historical Participation: The player has previously appeared on a nation’s final roster for a WBC tournament or qualifier.

How does eligibility differ from Olympics?

The eligibility rules for the Olympics (governed by the International Olympic Committee - IOC) are significantly stricter than those of the World Baseball Classic (sanctioned by the WBSC and MLB).

In the Olympics, you must be a national (citizen) of the country you represent. A legal passport is the standard requirement. Heritage alone is not enough; if you don't have the paperwork to prove you are a citizen of that nation, you cannot play.

MORE: Team USA's World Baseball Classic history

Can players choose which country to represent in the WBC?

Unlike most international competitions, a player is not restricted to their country of birth or primary citizenship. Instead, they can suit up for any nation where they hold a passport, were born, or have a parent or grandparent who was born there.

A national team (like Great Britain or Israel) will often scout MLB and Minor League rosters for players with eligible last names or birthplaces and "recruit" them.

MORE: Japan's World Baseball Classic history

Can players switch their WBC team?

Yes, players can switch their team in between World Baseball Classics.

For the 2026 WBC, the most notable shift is Nolan Arenado, who officially committed to Team Puerto Rico in January 2026 after winning gold and silver with Team USA in previous years. Arenado, whose mother is of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, noted that the opportunity to play in San Juan and honor his family’s roots was a primary motivator, despite some backlash from fans who viewed the move as a slight to the American squad.

Other notable commitments for 2026 include Mark Vientos, who will represent Nicaragua, and brothers Tristan and Brendan Beck, who have joined Great Britain. These choices are often influenced by recruitment from national legends — such as Yadier Molina’s role in bringing Arenado to Puerto Rico —or the desire for guaranteed playing time that a more crowded roster like Team USA might not provide. 

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Notable players who represented different countries in the WBC

Here are a few players who have switched teams in between World Baseball Classics.

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Which countries have competed in the WBC? 

Since its inception in 2006, the World Baseball Classic has grown into a truly global event. As of the 2026 tournament starting next week, a total of 23 different nations have competed in the main tournament.

While many teams are mainstays, others have made brief but memorable appearances through the qualifying system.