The World Baseball Classic is returning in 2023, with the championship game set to be played in Miami.
The international tournament, held every four years, last was contested in 2017. The 2021 event was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizers on Thursday announced the schedule, host cities and teams. The field features the 16 teams that played in 2017, plus four qualifiers still to be determined.
Taichung, Tokyo, Phoenix, and Miami are ready!
Here is the official tournament format for the #WorldBaseballClassic 2023. ?? pic.twitter.com/co0IxZZad4
— WBC Baseball (@WBCBaseball) July 7, 2022
The defending champion United States kicks off play March 11 in Pool C action in Phoenix. Other host cities for pool play are Miami, Tokyo and Taichung, Taiwan.
The top two teams from each pool will move on to the quarterfinals, to be held in Miami and Tokyo. The semifinals and finals will be held in Miami from March 19-21.
The schedule:
POOL A (March 8-13)
Host: Taichung, Taiwan
Chinese Taipei
Cuba
Italy
Netherlands
Qualifier TBD
POOL B (March 9-13)
Host: Tokyo
Japan
Korea
China
Australia
Qualifier TBD
POOL C (March 11-15)
Host: Phoenix
United States
Canada
Mexico
Colombia
Qualifier TBD
POOL D (March 11-15)
Host: Miami
Puerto Rico
Venezuela
Israel
Dominican Republic
Qualifier TBD
–Field Level Media