MIAMI — The 2026 World Baseball Classic started with 20 teams.

Now, the field is down to eight.

The top two teams from each of the tournament’s four pools have advanced to the quarterfinals, where the tournament shifts to single elimination knockouts on the way to the championship game on Tuesday at loanDepot park.

Those eight teams that have advanced:

Here’s a look at the field and what to expect over the next five days.

Dominican Republic (Pool D winner)

The DR went a perfect 4-0 in pool play at Miami’s loanDepot park, outscoring Venezuela, Israel, the Netherlands and Nicaragua by a combined 41-10 score.

As a team, the Dominican Republic hit 13 home runs in pool play — two apiece by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., Junior Caminero and Oneil Cruz plus one apiece from Ketel Marte, Julio Rodriguez and Austin Wells. Tatis led the team with nine RBIs.

While the lineup is stacked, the DR also is stout on the mound. Christopher Sanchez, Luis Severino, Brayan Bello and Sandy Alcantara made up the rotation while the bullpen features the likes of Gregory Soto, Camilo Doval and Seranthony Dominguez among others.

Venezuela (Pool D runner-up)

Venezuela won its first three games of pool play before falling, 7-5, to the Dominican Republic on Wednesday night.

Luis Arraez stood out in a stout lineup with a .500 batting average and six of his seven hits going for extra bases — four doubles and two home runs — plus-nine RBIs. Venezuela will need continued production from the likes of Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Contreras brothers moving forward.

Venezuela’s pitching depth will be tested, but Ranger Suarez is lined up for a pivotal quarterfinal matchup against Japan.

Japan (Pool C winner)

Japan cruised through pool play, outscoring opponents 34-9 in Tokyo as it attempts to repeat as World Baseball Classic champion.

Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs and posted a 2.025 OPS, six RBIs and four runs scored in three games. Seiya Suzuki and Masataka Yoshida also hit multiple home runs during pool play.

Japan’s pitching staff is filled with talent as well. It’s headlined by 2025 World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched 2 2/3 shutout innings in pool play and will start Japan’s quarterfinal on Saturday. But Tooyuki Sugano (4 shutout innings) and Hiroto Takahashi (4 2/3 shutout innings) were also solid in pool play, and two-time MLB All-Star Yusei Kikuchi is also an option down the stretch.

Korea (Pool C runner-up)

Korea went 2-2 in pool play, winning a three-way tiebreaker with Australia and Chinese Taipei to advance to the quarterfinals.

First baseman Bo Geyong Moon paced the offense with a tournament-leading 11 RBIs and a .538 batting average (7 for 13) with two doubles and two home runs.

Hyeon Jun So was Korea’s top pitcher in pool play, tossing five innings of one-run ball over two appearances (one start).

Italy (Pool B winner)

In perhaps the biggest surprise of the tournament thus far, Italy went undefeated in pool play at Houston’s Daikin Park in a group that included the United States, which is considered a favorite for the tournament.

Vinnie Pasquantino hit three home runs in the clinching game against Mexico on Wednesday, Dante Nori also had a multi-homer game and three of Italy’s starting pitchers — Aaron Nola (five innings Wednesday against Mexico), Sam Aldegheri (4 2/3 innings Saturday against Brazil) and Michael Lorenzen (4 2/3 innings Tuesday against the United States) — had scoreless outings.

United States (Pool B runner-up)

While the United States dropped its game to Italy, it still advanced from its pool as the runner-up.

The U.S. team is stacked — the lineup features the likes of Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson to name a few while Paul Skenes and Logan Webb front the rotation (Tarik Skubal was there for pool play but has since returned to Tigers spring training).

Can the Americans shake off a shocking loss and make a run?

Canada (Pool A winner)

Canada went 3-1 in pool play, with wins against Puerto Rico, Cuba and Colombia. Their lone blemish at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan was a 4-3 loss to Panama.

Marlins outfielder prospect Owen Caissie, who is projected to be Miami’s Opening Day right fielder, was a standout. He hit .500 (7 for 14) with three doubles, one home run (that fittingly landed in a Canadian flag held up by a fan in the stands), five RBIs and three runs scored. Abraham Toro (.467 average, five extra-base hits, five RBI) also impressed at the plate.

On the mound, Canada held its opponents to 10 runs over four games. Cal Quantrill, a former Marlin, threw five shutout innings in Canada’s 7-2 win over Cuba to clinch the berth into the quarterfinals.

Puerto Rico (Pool A runner-up)

Puerto Rico went 3-1 on its home field to advance to the quarterfinals.

Pitching carried Puerto Rico, which only gave up seven runs over the four games. This included a 5-0 shutout of Colombia to begin the tournament. Seth Lugo tossed four shutout innings in that game. Edwin Diaz, who tore his right patellar tendon during Puerto Rico’s on-field celebration in 2023 after winning their pool, tossed two shutout innings in two appearances of pool play action this year.

At the plate, Martin Maldonado had a team-high five RBIs while Willi Castro had a team-best .900 OPS among regulars in the lineup.

Remaining World Baseball Classic schedule

Friday

Quarterfinal 1: Korea vs. Dominican Republic in Miami, 6:30 p.m., FS2

Quarterfinal 2: United States vs. Canada in Houston, 8 p.m., Fox

Saturday

Quarterfinal 3: Puerto Rico vs. Italy in Houston, 3 p.m., FS1

Quarterfinal 4: Venezuela vs. Japan in Miami, 9 p.m., Fox

Sunday

Semifinal 1: Korea/Dominican Republic winner vs. Canada/United States winner, 8 p.m., FS1

Monday

Semifinal 2: Italy/Puerto Rico winner vs. Japan/Venezuela winner, 8 p.m., FS1

Tuesday

Final: Semifinal winners, 8 p.m. Fox

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