This year marks the 6th time that the World Baseball Classic is being played since the inaugural tournament in 2006. The tournament is played around the world every three or four years, with an exception for the 2020 tournament which would have occurred during the covid-19 pandemic. The tournament is made up of 16 teams spread over four pools. This year pool A is made up of Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Columbia. Pool B is made up of Italy, Mexico, Great Britain, Brazil and the United States. Pool C is made up of Chinese Taipei, Australia, Czechia, Korea, and Japan. Finally, Pool D comprises Netherlands, Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Israel. Pool A was played at Hiram Bithorn stadium in  San Juan, Puerto Rico. Pool B was played at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Pool C played at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. Finally, Pool D played at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. 

From each pool, two teams advanced to the quarterfinals. From Pool A, Canada and Puerto Rico. From Pool B, Italy and the United States. From Pool C, Japan and Korea. Finally from Pool D, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. In the first semifinal, the United States beat the Dominican Republic 2-1. In the second semifinal, Venezuela beat Italy 4-2. In the Championship game, the US fell to Venezuela 3-2. This is the first time that Venezuela has won the tournament and the USA has made the final the past four years and only won one. This year, many midwest baseball stars represented their country at the WBC. For the Brewers, Brice Turang (USA), Jackson Chourio (Venezuela), William Contreras (Venezuela), and Joey Ortiz (Mexico) to name a few. For the Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong (USA), Alex Bregman (USA), Seiya Suzuki (Japan), and Daniel Palencia (Venezuela) to name a few.