The WBC is no longer a sideshow orbiting Major League Baseball. The tournament has shifted to spotlighting what a sport can look like when national pride, global stars and meaningful stakes collide. That shift says as much about baseball’s future as it does about one unforgettable at-bat.

With 100 days until the 2026 World Cup begins, our reporters ranked the top 15 contenders for this summer's top prize as they see it. Did your national team make the cut? And who do we think will challenge hardest?

MLB all-star suddenly banned from the World Baseball Classic after testing positive for PEDs for the second time in his career.

Hours after the U.S. military announced that three U.S. service members were killed during military strikes against Iran, President Donald Trump told NBC News, “We expect casualties with something like this.

Team India secures a thrilling semi-final spot in the T20 World Cup 2026, setting up a high-voltage clash against England on March 5 in Mumbai. South Africa will face New Zealand in the first semi-final on March 4 in Kolkata.