After falling just short of the title three years ago, the United States is carrying odds-on expectations into the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The Americans are -110 favorites to win the tournament, followed by reigning champion Japan at +350 and the Dominican Republic at +400, according to DraftKings odds as of Wednesday morning. Venezuela comes in next at +900 before a steep drop-off to Puerto Rico at +2000 and Mexico at +2200.
The United States opened around +140 across the sportsbook marketplace and ultimately shortened to odds-on favorites following a bevy of action. At DraftKings, 70% of tickets and 78% of money are backing the American squad.
WBC Title Odds
TeamOddsUnited States-110Japan+350Dominican Republic+400Venezuela+900Puerto Rico+2000Mexico+2200Canada+5000South Korea+6500Colombia+8000Cuba+8000Italy+8000Netherlands+10000Panama+10000Chinese Taipei+20000Australia+25000Great Britain+25000Israel+25000Brazil+50000Czechia+50000Nicaragua+50000– DraftKings Sportsbook, as of Wednesday morning
The action is a bit more spread out elsewhere. At BetMGM, the U.S. leads in ticket share (34.7%), but Japan leads in handle share (41.7%) to be the sportsbook’s largest liability. Overall, the U.S., Japan and the Dominican Republic account for a combined 82.5% of the bets and 91.2% of the money with the sportsbook.
This year’s odds represent a considerable difference from the lines going into the 2023 tournament, when the Dominican Republic was the +200 favorite ahead of the U.S. (+275) and Japan (+300).
Outside of the top three contenders, only Venezuela is drawing any type of consideration from bettors, with 5% of the handle at BetMGM. Chinese Taipei, a 200-1 long shot, has drawn 2.5% of the wagers and 0.7% of the money with the sportsbook.
USA (-800), Japan (-575) and the Dominican Republic (-160) are all sizable favorites to win their pools, according to DraftKings lines. Puerto Rico is -125 to win Pool A, which is the closest grouping of the tournament, as all five teams are within +1200.
