The 2026 World Baseball Classic is less than a month away, and there are WBC odds available to wager on at Kalshi.
Japan captured the 2023 edition thanks to some Shohei Ohtani heroics, but the early wagering suggests Team USA will get revenge for their loss in the final.
Let's take a look at the latest MLB odds.
2026 World Baseball Classic odds
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Favorites to win the World Baseball Classic
USA
The Americans can send out a power-packed lineup around heart-of-the-order staples Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper, and it’s hard to imagine just how impactful Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal will be donning the red, white, and blue.
Kyle Schwarber will still have plenty to offer, while Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson are potential headliners for the next wave of American stars.
Japan
Superstar Shohei Ohtani led the Japanese to an undefeated run through the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and a blend of NPB and MLB talents will look to repeat.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will help anchor the rotation along with Yusei Kikuchi. Seiya Suzuki is among the names familiar to MLB fans in the lineup.
Japan won consecutive World Baseball Classics in 2006 and 2009, and is the only country to win more than once.
World Baseball Classic format
The 16 teams that were featured in the 2023 WBC were given automatic bids. The other four earned spots through the two qualifying tournaments.
The 20 teams are divided into pools with four squads each for round-robin play. The Top 2 teams from each pool then advance to the knockout round of eight.
Past World Baseball Classic winners
Japan has been dominating while recording three first-place finishes, and ending up on the podium in each tournament so far. Puerto Rico has also been a consistent contender appearing in the gold-medal game in two of the last three tournaments.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Japan | United States |
| 2017 | United States | Puerto Rico |
| 2013 | Dominican Republic | Puerto Rico |
| 2009 | Japan | South Korea |
| 2006 | Japan | Cuba |
What is Kalshi and how does it work?
Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Eagles win this Sunday?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?
In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.
World Baseball Classic FAQs
The United States are favored to win the 2026 WBC at +225.
USA is the favorite at +225, while Canada is currently at +5000 to win the WBC.
The 2026 World Baseball Classic runs from March 5-17, 2026, in the United States, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Tokyo.
