A deep dive into why Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena is representing Mexico a the the 2026 World Baseball Classic despite being a native of Cuba.

After the final out was recorded on a historic 16-0 mercy-rule win at Daikin Park, players and staff stayed behind to tidy up their own dugout, a small gesture that drew widespread praise on social media and quickly became one of the feel-good moments of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic gets one of its marquee games on Monday when the United States takes on rival Mexico. Both teams are 2-0 in Pool B. In the WBC’s first game on Monday, South Korea beat Australia 7-2 to reach the quarterfinals from Pool C.

Mexico’s run in the 2023 World Baseball Classic ended in a heartbreaking 6-5 loss to Japan in the semifinals, but the country made it clear that its club is a force to be reckoned with. For the first time in the tournament’s history,

The World Baseball Classic reaches a critical day with seven games that will go a long way in determining the teams that advance to the quarterfinals.

Mexico has been part of all World Baseball Classics heading into 2026 and has qualified once again. Team Mexico finished in third place in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the first year under the tutelage of Benji Gil.

Mexico is off to its best start ever at a World Baseball Classic. Now the team just has to keep things rolling against Brazil on Sunday night at Daikin Park to set up a must-see showdown with Team USA.