MLB · 10 hours ago

2026 WBC Pool B Preview: Team USA, Mexico, and Italy Battle in Houston

SportsGrid Contributor Just Baseball

Host · Writer

World Baseball Classic Group B Odds
2026 WBC Pool B Odds: Team USA Leads a Powerhouse Group

The betting markets reflect a clear hierarchy in Pool B. While Team USA enters as the overwhelming favorite to secure the top spot, the value found in the middle of the pack suggests that oddsmakers are wary of a potential Mexico or Italy upset.
- The Heavy Favorite: USA (-650) remains the clear frontrunner to win the pool outright, backed by a roster featuring multiple MVP finalists.
- The Primary Challenger: Mexico (+600) holds the second-best odds, positioned as the most likely candidate to challenge the Americans for the No. 1 seed.
- The Dark Horse: Italy (+1800) offers significant value for those betting on a "bracket-busting" performance from a squad with deep MLB pitching experience.
- The Longshots: Both Brazil (+5000) and Great Britain (+5000) sit at the bottom of the board, requiring a historic run to overcome the giants at the top of the group.
The Most Exciting Pool in the 2026 World Baseball Classic
When I first sat down to write this preview, I was ready to crown Pool B as the most electric grouping in the entire 2026 World Baseball Classic. After a second thought, any doubts I had vanished: I simply love this tournament, and Pool B is undoubtedly the one to watch.

Hosted at Daikin Park in Houston, this pool features a collision of giants and rising programs: USA, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil. While Team USA enters as the clear favorite, the depth of this group is historic. This is the only pool in the tournament featuring two 2023 semifinalists (USA and Mexico) and three 2023 quarterfinalists (USA, Mexico, and Italy).

Pool B Power Rankings & Prediction
- 1) USA
- 2) Mexico
- 3) Italy
- 4) Great Britain
- 5) Brazil
Prediction: USA and Mexico advance to the quarterfinals.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.
1) Team USA
Team USA: The Greatest Roster on Paper?

Team USA isn't just a favorite; they might be the most talented squad ever assembled for international play. Captained by Aaron Judge, the roster includes four of the top five finishers from last year’s AL MVP race: Judge, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr., and Tarik Skubal.
- Elite Pitching: The staff is anchored by Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Logan Webb, and closer Mason Miller.
- Lineup Depth: Complementing the MVP talent are stars like Gunnar Henderson, Kyle Schwarber, Byron Buxton, and Will Smith.
- The Pressure: Anything less than a title for manager Mark DeRosa would be a shock, given this "All-Star" collection of talent.
Team USA's Full Roster
2) Team Mexico
Team Mexico: Building on a Historic Finish

Coming off their best finish in WBC history, Team Mexico enters 2026 with a three-game winning streak against their northern neighbors, the USA. After falling just short in a heart-wrenching 2023 semifinal against Japan, Mexico is out for redemption.
- MLB Talent: The roster is loaded with big-league mainstays, including Alejandro Kirk, Jarren Duran, Randy Arozarena, and flamethrower Andrés Muñoz.
- Upset Potential: Mexico is not just playing for a second-place finish; they have the clinical edge to repeat their 2023 victory over the Americans in pool play.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
3) Team Italy
Team Italy: The Houston Underdog

Team Italy is significantly stronger than casual fans realize. They have a history of "bracket-busting," reaching the quarterfinals in 2023 and knocking out heavyweights like Canada and Mexico in previous years.
- Rotational Strength: The pitching staff is surprisingly deep, featuring veterans Aaron Nola, Michael Lorenzen, Greg Weissert, and Adam Ottavino.
- Young Core: The lineup is led by "The Italian Nightmare" Vinnie Pasquantino, alongside Kyle Teel, Jac Caglianone, and Dominic Canzone.
- The Spoiler: Italy could absolutely steal a game from Mexico or the USA, potentially forcing a three-way tiebreaker that could leave a favorite on the outside looking in.
4) Team Great Britain
Team Great Britain: The Chisholm Era

For Great Britain, success isn't necessarily about winning the pool; it’s about tangible progress. After securing their first-ever WBC win against Colombia in 2023, they automatically qualified for this year’s tournament.
- The Star: The Brits boast a legitimate superstar in Jazz Chisholm Jr., who provides the lineup with elite speed and power.
- The Captain: Chisholm is joined by catcher Harry Ford, a key piece of the 2023 qualifying success who is looking to solidify his status as a big-league mainstay in 2026.
Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.
5) Team Brazil
Team Brazil: Return of the Underdog

Brazil returns to the World Baseball Classic for the first time in 13 years. While they enter as the lowest-ranked team in the pool, their presence alone is a victory for Brazilian baseball.
- The Challenge: Brazil will face a tough road, especially with Bo Bichette opting out of the tournament. They will, however, have Bo's brother, former Yankees farmhand Dante Bichette Jr.
- WBC Goal: Success for the Brazilians means securing their first-ever WBC victory. A win over Italy or Great Britain would be historic, while an upset of the USA or Mexico would be "cause for a party in the streets".
World Baseball Classic: Group B Games
Pool B Schedule: Round-Robin Matchups (All Times ET)

The battle for Houston begins on March 6, with all pool play games taking place at Daikin Park. To ensure you don't miss a second of the action, we have converted all local start times to Eastern Time (ET).
- Friday, March 6:
  
  Mexico vs. Great Britain: 1:00 PM ET.
  
  USA vs. Brazil: 8:00 PM ET.
- Saturday, March 7:
  
  Brazil vs. Italy: 1:00 PM ET.
  
  Great Britain vs. USA: 8:00 PM ET.
- Sunday, March 8:
  
  Great Britain vs. Italy: 1:00 PM ET.
  
  Brazil vs. Mexico: 8:00 PM ET.
- Monday, March 9:
  
  Brazil vs. Great Britain: 1:00 PM ET.
  
  Mexico vs. USA: 8:00 PM ET.
- Tuesday, March 10:
  
  Italy vs. USA: 9:00 PM ET.
- Wednesday, March 11:
  
  Italy vs. Mexico: 7:00 PM ET.
World Baseball Classic Playoffs
The Road to Miami: Knockout Round Schedule

Should Team USA or Team Mexico advance as predicted, the tournament shifts from Houston to the championship atmosphere of Miami.
- Quarterfinals (Houston): The top two teams from Pool B will compete on March 13 or 14, 2026, at Daikin Park (Times TBA).
- Semifinals (Miami): Winners advance to loanDepot park for games on March 15 or 16, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
- WBC Championship (Miami): The final world title game will be held at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET.
World Baseball Classic Group B Odds
2026 WBC Pool B Odds: Team USA Leads a Powerhouse Group

The betting markets reflect a clear hierarchy in Pool B. While Team USA enters as the overwhelming favorite to secure the top spot, the value found in the middle of the pack suggests that oddsmakers are wary of a potential Mexico or Italy upset.
- The Heavy Favorite: USA (-650) remains the clear frontrunner to win the pool outright, backed by a roster featuring multiple MVP finalists.
- The Primary Challenger: Mexico (+600) holds the second-best odds, positioned as the most likely candidate to challenge the Americans for the No. 1 seed.
- The Dark Horse: Italy (+1800) offers significant value for those betting on a "bracket-busting" performance from a squad with deep MLB pitching experience.
- The Longshots: Both Brazil (+5000) and Great Britain (+5000) sit at the bottom of the board, requiring a historic run to overcome the giants at the top of the group.
The Most Exciting Pool in the 2026 World Baseball Classic
When I first sat down to write this preview, I was ready to crown Pool B as the most electric grouping in the entire 2026 World Baseball Classic. After a second thought, any doubts I had vanished: I simply love this tournament, and Pool B is undoubtedly the one to watch.

Hosted at Daikin Park in Houston, this pool features a collision of giants and rising programs: USA, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain, and Brazil. While Team USA enters as the clear favorite, the depth of this group is historic. This is the only pool in the tournament featuring two 2023 semifinalists (USA and Mexico) and three 2023 quarterfinalists (USA, Mexico, and Italy).

Pool B Power Rankings & Prediction
- 1) USA
- 2) Mexico
- 3) Italy
- 4) Great Britain
- 5) Brazil
Prediction: USA and Mexico advance to the quarterfinals.

Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.

2026 WBC Pool B Preview: Team USA, Mexico, and Italy Battle in Houston

2026 WBC Pool B Odds: Team USA Leads a Powerhouse Group

Pool B Power Rankings & Prediction

Team USA: The Greatest Roster on Paper?

Team Mexico: Building on a Historic Finish

Team Italy: The Houston Underdog

Team Great Britain: The Chisholm Era

Team Brazil: Return of the Underdog

Pool B Schedule: Round-Robin Matchups (All Times ET)

The Road to Miami: Knockout Round Schedule

2026 WBC Pool B Odds: Team USA Leads a Powerhouse Group

Pool B Power Rankings & Prediction

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES

EDITOR'S PICKS

For the Best of SportsGrid, Grab the App

BETTING NEWS

FUTURES