Shohei Ohtani Confirmed for the 2026 World Baseball Classic
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani has confirmed his participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with the Japan team. The announcement was made through his social media last Monday.
Japan will seek to revalidate its title after obtaining the gold medal in the 2023 Classic. Ohtani was recognized as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, highlighting his memorable strikeout of his former teammate Mike Trout in the last
out of the decisive game against the United States.
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Ohtani, who returned to the mound this season after nearly two years of absence due to a second repair of his ulnar collateral ligament, did not specify in his post whether he will pitch for Japan in the tournament.
The World Baseball Classic will begin on March 5, with Japan competing in Group C alongside Australia, South Korea, Czech Republic, and Chinese Taipei. The United States will be in Group B.
The United States has already secured the participation of stars like Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, and Paul Skenes, among others.
Ohtani arrives at the tournament after winning his second consecutive World Series title with the Dodgers and receiving his fourth MVP award earlier this month.
