This is the most wide-open group of the World Baseball Classic. Puerto Rico will enter as the favorite in Pool A, especially playing at home in San Juan, but anything can and probably will happen. The other four teams in this group are hungry to advance out of pool play, with only Cuba having done so previously.
The top two teams will advance to the quarterfinals, with the championship game set for March 17 in Miami.
Here is our look at Pool A:
Canada
WBC appearance: Sixth.
Best finish: Went 2-1 in pool play in 2006.
What to expect: The Canadians have played in all five prior WBCs, but failed to get out of pool play, twice winning two games (2-2 in 2023 and 2-1 in 2006). Could this be the year for Canada to advance? There is certainly an interesting mix of established veterans and young players looking to prove themselves that could churn out two or even three wins in the four games. Canada will lean on brothers Josh Naylor (Seattle Mariners) and Bo Naylor (Cleveland Guardians), Baltimore Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill, and Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon, while looking for breakthroughs from young outfielders Owen Caissie (Miami Marlins) and Denzel Clarke (Athletics). How the pitching comes together will be key.
Colombia
WBC appearance: Third.
Best finish: Went 1-2 in pool play in 2017.
What to expect: Colombia has won a single game in each of its first two WBCs, but could be a sneaky pick to get one of the two quarterfinal spots from this group. The Colombians had to win a four-team qualifying tournament to get here and dominated by a 23-1 margin. Minnesota Twins third baseman Gio Urshela is the top position player, along with free-agent infielder Donovan Solano, while Colorado Rockies left-hander Jose Quintana and free-agent right-hander Julio Teheran lead the pitching staff.
Cuba
WBC appearance: Sixth.
Best finish: Second place, lost to Japan 10-6 in the 2006 championship game.
What to expect: Cuba allowed MLB players back on its roster for the first time in 2023, but only Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoán Moncada will play this year. One familiar face will be infielder Alexei Ramirez, now 44 years old and 10 years past his last MLB game. (Say it with me, Alexeeeiii!) Cuba has a good history in the WBC, losing to the U.S. 14-2 in the 2023 semifinals after surviving a five-way 2-2 tie in pool play, so while there might not be that many known players, this is certainly a team to keep an eye on.
Panama
WBC appearance: Fourth.
Best finish: Went 2-2 in pool play in 2023.
What to expect: After going 0-6 in the first two WBCs, Panama failed to make the next two tournaments. But Panama came back strong in 2023, as all five teams in the pool went 2-2. But Panama didn’t have the tiebreaker to advance. The roster includes several MLB players, including New York Yankees infielder José Caballero, Philadelphia Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa, Chicago Cubs catchers Miguel Amaya and Christian Bethancourt, and Cleveland Guardians right-hander Logan Allen. There are also a handful of recent major-leaguers, especially on the pitching side.
Puerto Rico
WBC appearance: Sixth.
Best finish: Second place, lost to the U.S. 8-0 in the 2017 championship game.
What to expect: What team has the second-most wins in WBC history? That would be Puerto Rico with 23, second to Japan’s 29. Puerto Rico lost in the 2023 semifinals to Mexico 5-4 after dropping the championship game to the U.S. in 2017. But this roster is missing some star power. Still, manager Yadier Molina will have Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado, his former St. Louis Cardinals teammate who previously played for the U.S., right-handers Edwin Diaz (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Seth Lugo (Kansas City Royals), Colorado Rockies infielder Willi Castro, New York Mets outfielder MJ Melendez and experience behind the plate in Martín Maldonado, who just retired, and Christian Vazquez, who is a free agent.
