Every champion in World Baseball Series

SportsSpotlight Stories

Every champion in World Baseball Series

February 25, 2026

The World Baseball Classic is the ultimate global stage where national pride collides with elite athletic talent. While domestic leagues grind through grueling 162-game seasons to crown a champion, the WBC offers a completely different kind of pressure: a chaotic, emotion-fueled sprint where a single swing can elevate a player to national hero status. Since its inception in 2006, the tournament has transformed from a quirky exhibition into a globally recognized spectacle that forces the best players on earth to lay it all on the line for their home countries.

Only a select few nations have managed to navigate the sudden-death pressure cooker of the WBC to lift the iconic silver trophy. The history of the tournament’s champions reveals a fascinating power dynamic in international baseball, showcasing dynasties, massive upsets, and the sheer star power required to survive a global gauntlet. Whether it is the meticulous execution of the Asian powerhouses, the sheer swagger of the Caribbean giants, or the overwhelming talent pool of the United States, every championship run tells a unique story.

As we gear up for the next chapter of international baseball history, let’s take a look back at the exclusive club of nations that have conquered the world, starting with the most recent kings of the diamond.

2023: Japan

Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan designated hitter and closing pitcher Shohei Ohtani (16) and Japan catcher Yuhei Nakamura (27) and team Japan celebrate defeating the USA in the World Baseball Classic at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-USA TODAY Sports

MVP: Shohei Ohtani

The 2023 tournament concluded with what might be the greatest single moment in WBC history: Shohei Ohtani striking out his Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to seal a 3-2 victory over the United States. Samurai Japan navigated the tournament flawlessly, combining a high-contact offense with an incredibly deep pitching staff. Ohtani was the undisputed star of the show, earning MVP honors by dominating both on the mound and at the plate.

2017: United States

Mar 21, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (29) looks on during a mound visit from catcher JT Realmuto (10) and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (46) during the second inning against Japan at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

MVP: Marcus Stroman

After years of underperforming on the global stage, Team USA finally put the puzzle together in 2017. They fielded a roster loaded with All-Star talent that fully embraced the emotion of the tournament, culminating in an 8-0 shutout victory over a passionate Puerto Rican squad in the final. Marcus Stroman took home MVP honors after a legendary performance in the championship game, carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning to finally bring the WBC trophy home to the country that invented the sport.

2013: Dominican Republic

Mar 14, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Dominican Republic players celebrate on the field after a walk-off single from third baseman Jean Segura (not pictured) to win the game via mercy rule against Israel during the seventh inning at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

MVP: Robinson Canó

The Dominican Republic did not just win the 2013 World Baseball Classic; they completely overwhelmed it. Playing with unmatched swagger and energy, they became the first and only team in tournament history to run the table, finishing with a perfect 8-0 record. Robinson Canó was an absolute machine at the plate, hitting .469 to earn MVP honors as the Dominican squad blanked Puerto Rico 3-0 in a rain-soaked final.

2009: Japan

Mar 15, 2009; San Diego, CA, USA; Japan starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (18) throws during the fourth inning against Cuba at Petco Park in San Diego, CA, during the second round of the World Baseball Classic. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

MVP: Daisuke Matsuzaka

Japan proved their inaugural championship was no fluke by defending their crown in an instant classic final against fierce rivals, South Korea. The championship game stretched into extra innings before the legendary Ichiro Suzuki delivered a dramatic, go-ahead two-run single in the 10th to seal a 5-3 victory. Daisuke Matsuzaka was once again brilliant on the mound, becoming the first and only player to win back-to-back WBC MVP awards.

2006: Japan

March 22, 2009; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Japan starter Daisuke Matsuzaka (18) pitches in the fourth inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinal against USA at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

MVP: Daisuke Matsuzaka

The inaugural World Baseball Classic set the gold standard for the tournament, introducing the world to the unique passion of international play. Japan established itself as an immediate powerhouse, relying on flawless fundamentals and elite pitching to navigate a difficult bracket. They outslugged a talented Cuban team 10-6 in the final, with Daisuke Matsuzaka announcing his arrival to the world by dominating hitters and claiming the very first tournament MVP award.

MORE: Top 10 Winter Olympians of Team USA since 2000

The legacy of the WBC crown

The silver trophy of the World Baseball Classic remains one of the hardest trophies to capture in all of sports. While Japan has firmly established itself as the premier global dynasty with three titles, the gap between the powerhouses is rapidly closing. The sheer emotion and unpredictability of the tournament guarantee that whoever lifts the trophy next will have survived an absolute gauntlet of international heavyweights.