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The World Baseball Classic returns to action after a three-year slumber. Suffice to say, masses of baseball enthusiasts around the world are chomping at the bit to see what unfolds.
The 2023 iteration of the competition was a noteworthy one. Samurai Japan hoisted its third-ever title, downing the Americans 3-2 following an epic matchup between then-teammates Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.
The tournament was a spectacle, replete with web gems, towering home runs and strikeouts galore. It also was caked in color; sides like Puerto Rico, Cuba, China and Panama dazzled in eye-catching outfits that still twinkle in onlookers' eyes.
The fashion world has changed markedly in the three years since the onset of the last WBC. That should be reflected in the outfits teams sport throughout the competition.
With that, here's a look at the best and worst uniforms from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
2026 World Baseball Classic uniforms, ranked
1. Cuba
II Serie de las Américas | Cuba se desquita de Panamá con triunfo de 7-2 y se lleva el tercer lugarhttps://t.co/u6VisSfxss #SerieDeLasAmericas #baseballdecuba
📸SDA pic.twitter.com/SwhQ2gBYLB
Cuba has endured plenty of hardship in the decades since its revolution. The U.S.'s embargo over the island nation has stifled its economy. The economic warfare has grown more pronounced under the Trump administration, with the federal government targeting fuel imports into the island nation.
Predictably, that has made conditions all the more difficult for Cuban citizens. The United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation reported that infant mortality in Cuba increased by 85% since 2018.
U.S. measures have left the island in a lurch over the past 67 years. And yet, Cuba remains a prideful nation, one whose impact stretches far beyond its borders.
Its WBC jerseys reflect this dynamic. Cuba stretches across the center of the kit in bright, bold lettering. The kits coloring reflects its significance -- the white symbolizes the strength of the Cuban people's push for independence, while the red references the country's values of equality, liberty and fraternity.
All of that is to say, Cuba's jerseys are eminently important. Its sovereignty has long been under threat as a result of U.S. imperialism. But no nation can blight its role as a beacon of hope for oppressed populations around the world.
2. Panama
Panama's outfits aren't all that bold. And yet, the font is just that -- a confident statement of the side's presence in this year's tournament.
Panama hasn't achieved all that much success in the WBC, failing to get out of the group stage in any of its first three appearances. And yet, the country still fancies itself at the top level of international baseball. If you need any evidence, look at its kits.
3. Colombia
You can never go wrong with canary yellow. Colombia's WBC kits aren't all that complex. But the yellow hints makes for an alluring look. The font is also worth noting -- its typeface is reminiscent of a groovier time when synths and disco reigned supreme.
Colombia would rank higher if it featured more color. The yellow simply serves as an embellishment, not fundamental to the outfit's composition. Still, you can't go wrong with that lettering.
4. Japan
Japan brings back its pinstriped offerings for the 2026 WBC. The look stands out compared to the routine stylings the tournament's other 15 teams are sporting.
The font is ornate, the pinstripes are iconic and the color is blissful. Oh, and Ohtani will be donning the strip as he attempts to pump misfired fastballs into the roof of the Tokyo Dome. More of this, please.
5. Venezuela
The Bolivarian Revolution lives on in Venezuela's jersey, which features Francisco de Miranda's tricolor of yellow, blue and red. Venezuelans have worked hard to combat imperialism, be that in the form of the Spanish who colonized the nation or the Americans who have attempted to sell off its assets on the cheap. Still, the jersey remains, billowing in the wind as the likes of Ronald Acuna Jr., Jackson Chourio and more attempt to push the team to glory in 2026.
6. South Korea
The South Koreans will take the diamond in a sleek outfit that features an angled "Korea" nameplate with a wild flourish. That's not unlike a great many of its adversaries, to be sure. And yet, the font is fairly unique. It is assertive, intimidating and memorable. South Korea's players will hope its attributes can fall upon them during the tournament.
7. Australia
The color is cool. The font is cool. The use of sunlight on the kit is cool. All told, a pretty solid offering from the Australians. Hopefully, Travis Bazzana and Co. can enshrine the outfits in Australian baseball lore with a strong showing at the 2026 WBC.
8. Dominican Republic
Like Colombia and Panama's entries, the Dominican Republic's WBC jerseys are highlighted almost entirely by its font. The "Dominicana" reads like its describing a superhero. Given the island nation's contribution to the rich history of baseball, that's not all that uncalled for.
Special mention for the "RD" lettering on the hat, which is both sleek and classic. You could envision seeing that typeface on a lid from the 1920s.
9. Mexico
It is very hard for Mexico to have an unsightly jersey. The colors don't allow for it. The green, white and red is a wondrous color combination, blending together to make a captivating look that enchants viewers.
The country's 2026 WBC kits could go a bit further with the ambition, however. Perhaps the green could've been marked with a faint pattern to add to the intrigue. Nevertheless, this is a solid look as far as WBC jerseys are concerned.
10. Chinese Taipei
Chinese Taipei's logo stands out, as it is placed on one side of the jersey rather than sprawled across the center of the chest. Swept inside the look is a baseball, placed inside the "C." While not the most creative of outfits, the look does compare favorably to a great many of its adversaries.
11. Italy
There's something appropriate about Italy brandishing its name loudly and proudly across the surface of its WBC kits. Perhaps its a reflection of the country's growing contribution to the sport of baseball. Maybe it highlights the pride its citizen have for it. Or perhaps it's a way to differentiate between Nicaragua's number.
Either way, it works. Expect plenty in Milan and Venice -- and maybe even more in New Jersey and New York -- to purchase the look in the coming few months.
12. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico's kits bear a similar look to its outfits in WBCs past. The typeface remains unique, although I'd argue there are more entrancing ones in this year's field. All told, it's a solid, if unspectacular look.
13. Nicaragua
I like Nicaragua's typeface. It looks like something one would see at a sandlot. The rest of the look is fairly underwhelming, though. That's a shame; the nation has a rich history of resisting imperial aggression. It would have been nice to see that history reflected in the jerseys which drape its national team players.
14. Czechia
Czechia will look to make waves with its latest WBC look, which bears a passing resemblance to its 2023 WBC predecessor. The outfit isn't bad. But it's also not that great, either. The colors are dull and the font is basic.
The hat is a bit more interesting. Still, that's not enough to place it in the upper echelon of outfit choices.
15. Canada
The Canadians will wear a fairly simplistic offering during the 2026 WBC. This one is far from ideal, however. Canada sprawls across the chest plate. But it blocks off the red striping, making for an awkward look.
Perhaps Denzel Clarke can salvage the outfit by racking up some web gems while draped in the attire. The logo is cool, though!
16. Great Britain
Team Great Britain served up another uninspiring look ahead of the WBC. The color contrast is better than that of the United States. But that's not all that big of a compliment. The typeface is underwhelming and the design doesn't look all that original. It's a no from me.
17. Brazil
This one hurts...
Brazil's jerseys could have been great! But Nike opted against cloaking the kits in the signature yellow present on its soccer jerseys.
The result is a predictable one. A pallor-white home kit that looks sickly and a dull blue number that is indistinguishable from other blue outfits on number. Sigh...
18. Netherlands
The Netherlands rocked the pinstripes with aplomb during the 2023 WBC. This year's offering takes them away. Japan's success during the last tournament would suggest that was a poor choice. Do better, Dutch...
19. United States
It's dull, played out and lacking any real vigor. Yes, the hat is okay. But the outfit isn't memorable. Throw this one in the trash bin.
20. Israel
It's just not very good or interesting.
It's also unclear why Israel hasn't been sanctioned by the World Baseball and Softball Confederation, who banned Russia and excluded Russian and Belarusian teams from all competitions "just days after Russia’s illegal aggression on Ukraine", according to BDS.
To date, Israel's genocide in Palestine has killed more than 800 athletes, including Palestine Baseball National Team player Mustafa Ahmad Abd Tafesh and Palestinian Federation of Baseball and Softball director Ashraf Awad Murad.
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