TL;DR
- Shohei Ohtani will play for Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
- He confirmed his participation via Instagram after winning his fourth MVP award.
- Ohtani is fully recovered from elbow surgery and ready to pitch and hit.
- Japan aims for consecutive championships, facing strong competition from Team USA.
Shohei Ohtani played an extra month of baseball in both 2024 and 2025 as his Los Angeles Dodgers made back-to-back championship runs, but he is all in for some more action in March.
Ohtani declared his intention to participate in the World Baseball Classic just shy of two weeks following his fourth MVP honor, revealing Monday evening his decision to play for Japan in their pursuit of consecutive championships in the tournament.
The 2023 World Baseball Classic ended with Ohtani on the mound facing then-teammate Mike Trout. With Ohtani fully recovered from elbow surgery and pitching again, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him make an impact at the plate and on the mound for Japan come the spring — though the Dodgers may be involved in that decision.
Here's what you need to know about Ohtani's decision to play in the World Baseball Classic.
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Ohtani confirms Japan WBC plans
In an Instagram post Monday evening, Ohtani confirmed his participation in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, stating, "Happy to play and represent Japan again."
Although the United States might not be Japan's most formidable obstacle in their quest to reclaim a World Baseball Classic championship, Ohtani's declaration coincides with Team USA's increasing recruitment of skilled players for the competition.
The U.S. Has already announced Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, Bobby Witt, Paul Skenes, Corbin Carroll and Pete Crow-Armstrong as members of its roster. By committing to Team Japan, Ohtani ensures both reigning MVPs will be playing in the World Baseball Classic in the spring, along with at least one reigning Cy Young Award winner.
Japan is likely to have a loaded roster as well, with Ohtani's Dodgers teammates Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki potentially in play after a grueling run to a World Series win in the fall.
MORE: Early look at USA's World Baseball Classic roster
Shohei Ohtani's history in the World Baseball Classic
Shohei Ohtani was initially named to Japan's 2017 World Baseball Classic squad at 22 years old, but he pulled out because of an ankle injury. If he had participated, MLB enthusiasts would have had a preview of the Nippon-Ham Fighters' standout player roughly nine months prior to his signing with the Los Angeles Angels.
The subsequent tournament didn't occur for six years, a delay partly attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning Ohtani's performance in the 2023 World Baseball Classic remains his sole participation.
During the 2023 tournament, Ohtani batted.435, including one home run and 10 walks, achieving a 1.345 OPS across seven contests. He also recorded a 1.86 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 9.2 innings as Japan advanced to the final.