Friendly International

World · Baseball

Season 2026

Friendly International — Today's Matches

Live scores, upcoming kick-offs, and finished results for today. Data refreshes automatically so you never miss a moment.

Friendly International — Standings

Current Friendly International 2026 standings with 59 teams. Japan leads the table with 6 points after 6 matches, followed by USA on 4 points. The table shows wins, losses, scoring, and win percentage — essential for pre-match betting analysis.

#	Team	Played	Won	Lost	Runs For	Runs Against	Run Diff
1	Japan	6	3	3	32	22	+10
Played: 6Won: 3Lost: 3Run Diff: +10
2	USA	2	2	0	29	5	+24
Played: 2Won: 2Lost: 0Run Diff: +24
3	South Korea	4	2	1	30	18	+12
Played: 4Won: 2Lost: 1Run Diff: +12
4	Netherlands	2	2	0	19	13	+6
Played: 2Won: 2Lost: 0Run Diff: +6
5	New York Mets	2	2	0	11	5	+6
Played: 2Won: 2Lost: 0Run Diff: +6
6	Fukuoka S. Hawks	3	2	1	11	13	-2
Played: 3Won: 2Lost: 1Run Diff: -2
7	Nicaragua	6	2	3	14	19	-5
Played: 6Won: 2Lost: 3Run Diff: -5
8	Cuba	6	2	3	14	32	-18
Played: 6Won: 2Lost: 3Run Diff: -18
9	Cincinnati Reds	1	1	0	19	2	+17
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +17
10	Hiroshima Carp	1	1	0	18	2	+16
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +16
11	Chiba Lotte Marines	1	1	0	18	4	+14
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +14
12	Texas Rangers	1	1	0	13	2	+11
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +11
13	Athletics	1	1	0	14	4	+10
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +10
14	New York Yankees	1	1	0	11	1	+10
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +10
15	Dominican Republic	2	1	0	16	8	+8
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +8
16	Atlanta Braves	1	1	0	9	1	+8
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +8
17	Pittsburgh Pirates	1	1	0	7	1	+6
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +6
18	Orix Buffaloes 2	1	1	0	8	3	+5
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +5
19	Nippon Ham Fighters	1	1	0	6	1	+5
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +5
20	Italy	2	1	1	12	8	+4
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 1Run Diff: +4
21	Great Britain	2	1	0	9	5	+4
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +4
22	Australia	1	1	0	5	1	+4
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +4
23	Washington Nationals	1	1	0	5	1	+4
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +4
24	Kansas City Royals	1	1	0	4	0	+4
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +4
25	Toronto Blue Jays	1	1	0	10	7	+3
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +3
26	Minnesota Twins	1	1	0	6	3	+3
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +3
27	Los Angeles Dodgers	1	1	0	7	5	+2
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +2
28	Houston Astros	1	1	0	3	1	+2
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +2
29	Mexico	2	1	1	11	10	+1
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 1Run Diff: +1
30	Hanshin Tigers	2	1	0	8	7	+1
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +1
31	Los Angeles Angels	1	1	0	4	3	+1
Played: 1Won: 1Lost: 0Run Diff: +1
32	Canada	2	1	1	12	13	-1
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 1Run Diff: -1
33	Puerto Rico	2	1	1	8	9	-1
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 1Run Diff: -1
34	Orix Buffaloes	2	1	1	9	11	-2
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 1Run Diff: -2
35	Israel	2	1	1	3	5	-2
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 1Run Diff: -2
36	Chinese Taipei	3	1	2	6	11	-5
Played: 3Won: 1Lost: 2Run Diff: -5
37	Detroit Tigers	3	1	1	10	17	-7
Played: 3Won: 1Lost: 1Run Diff: -7
38	Samsung Lions	2	1	1	10	19	-9
Played: 2Won: 1Lost: 1Run Diff: -9
39	Czech Republic	5	1	3	14	48	-34
Played: 5Won: 1Lost: 3Run Diff: -34
40	San Diego Padres	1	0	0	2	2	0
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 0Run Diff: 0
41	Chiba Lotte Marines 2	2	0	1	4	5	-1
Played: 2Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -1
42	St.Louis Cardinals	1	0	1	1	2	-1
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -1
43	Miami Marlins	1	0	1	0	1	-1
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -1
44	Boston Red Sox	1	0	1	3	5	-2
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -2
45	Philadelphia Phillies	1	0	1	3	5	-2
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -2
46	Tampa Bay Rays	1	0	1	8	11	-3
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -3
47	Baltimore Orioles	1	0	1	5	8	-3
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -3
48	Arizona Diamondbacks	1	0	1	3	6	-3
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -3
49	Milwaukee Brewers	1	0	1	3	7	-4
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -4
50	Fukuoka S. Hawks 2	1	0	1	1	5	-4
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -4
51	Yomiuri Giants 2	1	0	1	1	5	-4
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -4
52	Chicago Cubs	1	0	1	4	9	-5
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -5
53	Chunichi Dragons	2	0	2	6	12	-6
Played: 2Won: 0Lost: 2Run Diff: -6
54	Venezuela	2	0	2	2	8	-6
Played: 2Won: 0Lost: 2Run Diff: -6
55	Colorado Rockies	1	0	1	4	14	-10
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -10
56	Panama	2	0	2	2	13	-11
Played: 2Won: 0Lost: 2Run Diff: -11
57	Colombia	2	0	2	2	16	-14
Played: 2Won: 0Lost: 2Run Diff: -14
58	San Francisco Giants	1	0	1	1	15	-14
Played: 1Won: 0Lost: 1Run Diff: -14
59	Brazil	2	0	2	6	27	-21
Played: 2Won: 0Lost: 2Run Diff: -21

Friendly International — Results

The latest 25 completed matches in the Friendly International. The highest-scoring result was South Korea 16–6 Samsung Lions. Review recent scorelines to spot form trends, home advantage patterns, and upset results that can inform your next bet.

Date	Home	Score	Away	Status
5 – 1
2026-03-04	Washington Nationals	5 – 1	Venezuela	FT
2026-03-04FT
2 – 2
2026-03-04	San Diego Padres	2 – 2	Great Britain	FT
2026-03-04FT
4 – 3
2026-03-04	Los Angeles Angels	4 – 3	Italy	FT
2026-03-04FT
4 – 14
2026-03-04	Colorado Rockies	4 – 14	USA	FT
2026-03-04FT
13 – 2
2026-03-04	Texas Rangers	13 – 2	Brazil	FT
2026-03-04FT
19 – 2
2026-03-04	Cincinnati Reds	19 – 2	Cuba	FT
2026-03-04FT
7 – 5
2026-03-04	Los Angeles Dodgers	7 – 5	Mexico	FT
2026-03-04FT
4 – 4
2026-03-04	Dominican Republic	4 – 4	Detroit Tigers	FT
2026-03-04FT
5 – 2
2026-03-04	New York Mets	5 – 2	Israel	FT
2026-03-04FT
8 – 11
2026-03-04	Tampa Bay Rays	8 – 11	Netherlands	FT
2026-03-04FT
1 – 2
2026-03-04	St.Louis Cardinals	1 – 2	Nicaragua	FT
2026-03-04FT
6 – 3
2026-03-04	Minnesota Twins	6 – 3	Puerto Rico	FT
2026-03-04FT
2 – 1
2026-03-04	Detroit Tigers	2 – 1	Panama	FT
2026-03-04FT
9 – 1
2026-03-04	Atlanta Braves	9 – 1	Colombia	FT
2026-03-04FT
3 – 5
2026-03-04	Philadelphia Phillies	3 – 5	Canada	FT
2026-03-04FT
3 – 1
2026-03-03	Houston Astros	3 – 1	Venezuela	FT
2026-03-03FT
3 – 5
2026-03-03	Boston Red Sox	3 – 5	Puerto Rico	FT
2026-03-03FT
12 – 4
2026-03-03	Dominican Republic	12 – 4	Detroit Tigers	FT
2026-03-03FT
3 – 7
2026-03-03	Milwaukee Brewers	3 – 7	Great Britain	FT
2026-03-03FT
3 – 6
2026-03-03	Arizona Diamondbacks	3 – 6	Mexico	FT
2026-03-03FT
1 – 15
2026-03-03	San Francisco Giants	1 – 15	USA	FT
2026-03-03FT
4 – 0
2026-03-03	Kansas City Royals	4 – 0	Cuba	FT
2026-03-03FT
4 – 9
2026-03-03	Chicago Cubs	4 – 9	Italy	FT
2026-03-03FT
14 – 4
2026-03-03	Athletics	14 – 4	Brazil	FT
2026-03-03FT
6 – 3
2026-03-03	New York Mets	6 – 3	Nicaragua	FT
2026-03-03FT

View all match results→

Friendly International — Team Stats

Side-by-side performance comparison of all 59 teams in the Friendly International. Japan leads with 3 wins this season. The colour-coded heatmap highlights wins, losses, scoring, scoring difference, and win percentage — making it easy to spot the strongest and weakest teams at a glance for betting analysis.

Played

Total matches played

Chiba Lotte Marines 2

Philadelphia Phillies

Won

Number of wins

Chiba Lotte Marines 2

St.Louis Cardinals

Miami Marlins

Boston Red Sox

Philadelphia Phillies

Lost

Number of losses

Chiba Lotte Marines 2

St.Louis Cardinals

Miami Marlins

Boston Red Sox

Philadelphia Phillies

Runs For

Goals or points scored

Chiba Lotte Marines 2

Philadelphia Phillies

Runs Against

Goals or points conceded

Chiba Lotte Marines 2

Boston Red Sox

Philadelphia Phillies

Run Diff

Goal or point difference

-1

-1

Chiba Lotte Marines 2

-1

-1

-1

-2

-2

-2

-2

Philadelphia Phillies

-2

-3

-3

-3

-4

-4

-4

-5

-5

-5

-6

-6

-7

-9

-10

-11

-14

-14

-18

-21

-34

Win %

Win percentage of all matches played

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

100%

67%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

50%

33%

33%

33%

33%

20%

Chiba Lotte Marines 2

St.Louis Cardinals

Miami Marlins

Boston Red Sox

Philadelphia Phillies

Friendly International — Betting Insights

Friendly International 2026 — key betting statistics across 53 matches played. Games average combined scoring. Home sides win 49.1% of the time and the most common scoreline is 3-4. Use these metrics to calibrate your betting strategies.

9.74Scoring / Match

90.6%Both Score %

49.1%Home Win %

41.5%Away Win %

9.4%Clean Sheet %

5.68Avg Home Scoring

4.06Avg Away Scoring

+15.80Home Advantage

Friendly International — Season Trends

Season-by-season comparison across 2 seasons of the Friendly International, with 2026 highlighted. The current season averages — combined scoring per match across 53 matches played. Columns cover home win % and away win % — use year-on-year trends to spot if the league is becoming higher or lower scoring and calibrate your betting strategy accordingly.

59 teams in the Friendly International 2026 season ranked by wins. Japan leads with 3 wins. Their 1-season average is 3.0 wins per season. Netherlands shows the biggest improvement this season with 2 more wins than their past average. Compare current form against historical averages to spot rising and declining teams — useful for match result and outright winner betting.

Team	#	Played	Won	Lost	Runs For	Runs Against	Avg W	Avg L	Avg GF	Avg GA
1Japan3Won	1	Played6	3	Lost3	Runs For32	Runs Against22	Avg W3.0	Avg L0.0	Avg GF32.0	Avg GA11.0
2USA2Won	2	Played2	2	Lost0	Runs For29	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
3South Korea2Won	3	Played4	2	Lost1	Runs For30	Runs Against18	Avg W2.0	Avg L1.0	Avg GF25.0	Avg GA19.0
4Netherlands2Won	4	Played2	2	Lost0	Runs For19	Runs Against13	Avg W0.0	Avg L2.0	Avg GF0.0	Avg GA14.0
5New York Mets2Won	5	Played2	2	Lost0	Runs For11	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
6Fukuoka S. Hawks2Won	6	Played3	2	Lost1	Runs For11	Runs Against13	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
7Nicaragua2Won	7	Played6	2	Lost3	Runs For14	Runs Against19	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
8Cuba2Won	8	Played6	2	Lost3	Runs For14	Runs Against32	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
9Cincinnati Reds1Won	9	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For19	Runs Against2	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
10Hiroshima Carp1Won	10	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For18	Runs Against2	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
11Chiba Lotte Marines1Won	11	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For18	Runs Against4	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
12Texas Rangers1Won	12	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For13	Runs Against2	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
13Athletics1Won	13	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For14	Runs Against4	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
14New York Yankees1Won	14	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For11	Runs Against1	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
15Dominican Republic1Won	15	Played2	1	Lost0	Runs For16	Runs Against8	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
16Atlanta Braves1Won	16	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For9	Runs Against1	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
17Pittsburgh Pirates1Won	17	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For7	Runs Against1	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
18Orix Buffaloes 21Won	18	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For8	Runs Against3	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
19Nippon Ham Fighters1Won	19	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For6	Runs Against1	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
20Italy1Won	20	Played2	1	Lost1	Runs For12	Runs Against8	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
21Great Britain1Won	21	Played2	1	Lost0	Runs For9	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
22Australia1Won	22	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For5	Runs Against1	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
23Washington Nationals1Won	23	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For5	Runs Against1	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
24Kansas City Royals1Won	24	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For4	Runs Against0	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
25Toronto Blue Jays1Won	25	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For10	Runs Against7	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
26Minnesota Twins1Won	26	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For6	Runs Against3	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
27Los Angeles Dodgers1Won	27	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For7	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
28Houston Astros1Won	28	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For3	Runs Against1	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
29Mexico1Won	29	Played2	1	Lost1	Runs For11	Runs Against10	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
30Hanshin Tigers1Won	30	Played2	1	Lost0	Runs For8	Runs Against7	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
31Los Angeles Angels1Won	31	Played1	1	Lost0	Runs For4	Runs Against3	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
32Canada1Won	32	Played2	1	Lost1	Runs For12	Runs Against13	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
33Puerto Rico1Won	33	Played2	1	Lost1	Runs For8	Runs Against9	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
34Orix Buffaloes1Won	34	Played2	1	Lost1	Runs For9	Runs Against11	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
35Israel1Won	35	Played2	1	Lost1	Runs For3	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
36Chinese Taipei1Won	36	Played3	1	Lost2	Runs For6	Runs Against11	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
37Detroit Tigers1Won	37	Played3	1	Lost1	Runs For10	Runs Against17	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
38Samsung Lions1Won	38	Played2	1	Lost1	Runs For10	Runs Against19	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
39Czech Republic1Won	39	Played5	1	Lost3	Runs For14	Runs Against48	Avg W0.0	Avg L2.0	Avg GF1.0	Avg GA14.0
40San Diego Padres0Won	40	Played1	0	Lost0	Runs For2	Runs Against2	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
41Chiba Lotte Marines 20Won	41	Played2	0	Lost1	Runs For4	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
42St.Louis Cardinals0Won	42	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For1	Runs Against2	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
43Miami Marlins0Won	43	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For0	Runs Against1	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
44Boston Red Sox0Won	44	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For3	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
45Philadelphia Phillies0Won	45	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For3	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
46Tampa Bay Rays0Won	46	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For8	Runs Against11	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
47Baltimore Orioles0Won	47	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For5	Runs Against8	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
48Arizona Diamondbacks0Won	48	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For3	Runs Against6	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
49Milwaukee Brewers0Won	49	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For3	Runs Against7	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
50Fukuoka S. Hawks 20Won	50	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For1	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
51Yomiuri Giants 20Won	51	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For1	Runs Against5	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
52Chicago Cubs0Won	52	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For4	Runs Against9	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
53Chunichi Dragons0Won	53	Played2	0	Lost2	Runs For6	Runs Against12	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
54Venezuela0Won	54	Played2	0	Lost2	Runs For2	Runs Against8	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
55Colorado Rockies0Won	55	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For4	Runs Against14	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
56Panama0Won	56	Played2	0	Lost2	Runs For2	Runs Against13	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
57Colombia0Won	57	Played2	0	Lost2	Runs For2	Runs Against16	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
58San Francisco Giants0Won	58	Played1	0	Lost1	Runs For1	Runs Against15	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—
59Brazil0Won	59	Played2	0	Lost2	Runs For6	Runs Against27	Avg W—	Avg L—	Avg GF—	Avg GA—

Friendly International — Past Seasons

Browse 7 archived seasons of the Friendly International, from 2019 to 2026. Each season page includes full standings, top scorers, and match results — useful for comparing historical performance and identifying long-term betting patterns.

History 16 Mar 2026

International Friendly Baseball matches have historical roots dating back to at least 1928, when the first internationally recorded friendly match was held in Shanghai. However, the modern formalized tracking and organization of International Friendly Baseball as a distinct competition category developed gradually alongside international baseball's growth throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The USA versus Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series has been running for over two decades as a consistent bilateral series. The modern era of comprehensive international friendly match tracking began with sports data platforms formalizing "Friendly International" as a distinct competition category, with documented seasons starting from 2025–2026. Unlike official tournaments governed by strict rules and formats, friendly matches offer flexibility in scheduling, venue selection, and roster composition, allowing national teams to experiment with lineups and strategies in preparation for major competitions. The category encompasses exhibition games scheduled around major tournaments such as the World Baseball Classic, WBSC Premier 12, Olympic Games, and Pan American Games, serving as crucial preparation periods for national team development.

—1928 — First internationally recorded friendly match held in Shanghai
—2006 — First World Baseball Classic tournament elevates international baseball profile globally
—2009 — Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series established as recurring bilateral series
—2023 — Japan wins World Baseball Classic, demonstrating strength of international baseball development
—2026 — Venezuela wins World Baseball Classic, becoming first-time champion; Friendly International matches tracked as formal category

Competition Format 16 Mar 2026

Teams30

International Friendly Baseball matches are non-tournament exhibition games between national teams, typically played in series format with multiple games between the same opponents or as one-off matches between various nations. Each match follows standard baseball rules with nine innings of play. Matches are scheduled flexibly around the international baseball calendar, often during spring training seasons (March–April) or in the 1–2 months preceding major tournaments. Teams field rosters typically limited to 30 players, with participation varying based on player availability and national federation decisions. Unlike official tournaments, friendly matches carry no official standings or relegation system; results are tracked for historical record and team preparation purposes. The format prioritizes player development, tactical experimentation, and international goodwill over competitive stakes, though matches are played with full competitive intensity.

Records 16 Mar 2026

All-time top scorerAlfredo Despaigne (7 home runs in World Baseball Classic)

Alfredo Despaigne of Cuba holds the World Baseball Classic all-time record with seven home runs across five tournaments (2009–2026), while maintaining a .611 slugging percentage in 26 career Classic games.

Analysis 16 Mar 2026

Current Season Analysis

The 2026 Friendly International season has served as the primary preparation period for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with numerous exhibition matches between national teams and Major League Baseball clubs scheduled across March. USA and Venezuela emerged as the tournament's dominant forces, with Venezuela ultimately capturing the championship by defeating USA 3–2 in a thrilling final on March 16, 2026, at LoanDepot Park in Miami. The Venezuelan victory marked the first World Baseball Classic championship in the nation's history, ending the USA's dominance in the tournament and signaling a significant shift in international baseball power dynamics.

The pre-tournament friendly matches revealed compelling storylines across multiple pools. In Pool A (Houston), USA dominated with a 3–1 record, establishing themselves as tournament favorites before ultimately finishing as runners-up. Mexico posted a 2–2 record, while Great Britain, competing in their first World Baseball Classic, finished 1–3. The exhibition matches between national teams and MLB clubs provided valuable preparation, with Colorado Rockies facing USA (losing 4–14), Los Angeles Angels competing against Italy (winning 4–3), and Cincinnati Reds overwhelming Cuba 19–2—one of the largest margins of victory in recent international friendly competition.

Japan (Pool B, Tokyo) entered the tournament as defending champions from the 2023 World Baseball Classic and posted a 3–1 record during pool play, demonstrating the consistency that has made them a perennial powerhouse. South Korea and Chinese Taipei competed fiercely in the Tokyo pool, with both nations showcasing the depth of talent in East Asian baseball. Dominican Republic (Pool C, San Juan) finished with a 2–2 record, reflecting the competitive balance that has characterized recent international baseball tournaments. The Dominican team's performance highlighted the emergence of Venezuela as a serious contender, as the two Caribbean nations have become the primary challengers to USA dominance.

The standout performer of the 2026 season was Maikel Garcia of Venezuela, who was named the World Baseball Classic MVP after delivering crucial performances throughout the tournament. Garcia's leadership and clutch hitting proved instrumental in Venezuela's historic championship run, particularly in the tense final against the heavily favored Americans. Other notable performers included Shohei Ohtani of Japan, who continued to demonstrate elite-level performance in international competition, and Mookie Betts of USA, who provided consistent excellence despite the team's tournament exit in the final.

An unexpected storyline emerged from Canada's breakthrough performance, as the Canadian national team advanced past the first round of the World Baseball Classic for the first time in the tournament's history. This marked a significant milestone for baseball development in Canada and suggested growing competitive depth in North American baseball beyond the traditional USA-Mexico rivalry. The Canadian success, combined with Venezuela's championship and the continued excellence of Japan and the Dominican Republic, indicates a significant evolution in international baseball's competitive landscape, with power no longer concentrated exclusively in traditional powerhouses.

International Friendly Baseball: A Crucial Preparation Ecosystem

International Friendly Baseball matches occupy a vital position in the global baseball calendar, serving as the primary preparation mechanism for national teams entering major tournaments. The 2026 season demonstrated this critical function, with exhibition matches providing teams opportunities to test lineups, develop chemistry, and identify tactical approaches before high-stakes tournament competition. The matches between national teams and Major League Baseball clubs—such as Colorado Rockies versus USA and Cincinnati Reds versus Cuba—offered particularly valuable preparation, allowing teams to compete against professional club-level talent while maintaining the international competition context.

The format's flexibility allows for strategic experimentation that official tournaments cannot accommodate. Teams used friendly matches to evaluate young players, test alternative lineup configurations, and develop pitching depth charts in preparation for tournament demands. The exhibition nature of these matches removes the pressure of official standings while maintaining competitive intensity, creating an optimal environment for player development and team building. National federations strategically schedule friendlies against opponents of varying strength levels—from fellow national teams to professional clubs—to build confidence, identify weaknesses, and refine game plans.

The Evolution of International Baseball Talent

The 2026 World Baseball Classic results reflect a dramatic evolution in international baseball talent distribution. For decades, the United States dominated international baseball, winning multiple World Baseball Classic tournaments and consistently fielding teams featuring the world's elite players. However, Venezuela's historic championship victory signaled a fundamental shift, as the nation developed comprehensive player development systems that rivaled traditional powerhouses. The Venezuelan team's path to the championship, culminating in a dramatic victory over the heavily favored Americans, demonstrated that sustained investment in player development and national program infrastructure could overcome traditional competitive advantages.

Japan's consistent excellence—winning the 2023 World Baseball Classic and reaching the 2026 semifinals—reflects the Nippon Professional Baseball league's quality and the Japanese national federation's sophisticated player development approach. The Dominican Republic's continued competitiveness, combined with emerging strengths from nations like Canada and the Netherlands, suggests international baseball has achieved genuine competitive parity at the highest levels. The participation of over 30 national teams in the friendly match ecosystem demonstrates baseball's truly global reach, with competitive programs established across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions.

Broadcasting and Global Reach

International Friendly Baseball matches are tracked across major sports data platforms including Flashscore and Sofascore, providing real-time scoring and match information to global audiences. While individual friendly matches receive limited prime-time broadcast coverage compared to official tournaments, the matches collectively generate significant viewership when aggregated across regional sports networks and streaming platforms. The 2026 World Baseball Classic, which utilized friendly matches as preparation content, was broadcast on FOX and FS2 in the United States, with international broadcasters varying by country.

The commercial ecosystem surrounding international baseball continues to expand, with broadcast rights for major tournaments commanding premium valuations. The World Baseball Classic generates substantial sponsorship revenue and broadcast fees, though individual friendly matches typically operate with minimal direct sponsorship. However, the friendly match category's importance to tournament preparation has elevated its profile within the broader international baseball ecosystem. Sports betting platforms, including Betmana, now track friendly matches as a distinct competition category, providing bettors access to comprehensive data, standings, and match information for exhibition competition between national teams.

Records and Historical Performance

The all-time records in World Baseball Classic competition—which encompasses both official tournament matches and related international competition—provide insight into international baseball's elite performers. Alfredo Despaigne of Cuba holds the all-time home run record with seven across five World Baseball Classic tournaments (2009–2026), while maintaining an exceptional .611 slugging percentage in 26 career Classic games. Frederich Cepeda, also of Cuba, leads in hits (32), RBIs (23), and total bases (60), establishing Cuba as a historical powerhouse in international baseball competition.

Daisuke Matsuzaka of Japan holds the pitching records with six wins, 23 strikeouts, and a remarkable 1.95 ERA across his World Baseball Classic appearances, including tournament MVP honors in both 2006 and 2009. Fernando Rodney of the Dominican Republic leads in saves with eight, including a perfect 7–for-7 record during the Dominican Republic's undefeated 2013 championship run. These records demonstrate the exceptional talent that international competition attracts and the sustained excellence required to compete at the highest levels of international baseball.

National Team Development and Future Outlook

The 2026 season highlighted the increasing sophistication of national baseball programs worldwide. Venezuela's championship victory demonstrated that sustained investment in youth development, professional league quality, and national team infrastructure could produce world-class results. The Canadian team's breakthrough performance suggested that emerging programs with growing professional infrastructure could compete at elite levels. Japan's continued excellence reflected decades of investment in baseball development and the quality of the Nippon Professional Baseball league.

Looking forward, the international friendly baseball ecosystem will continue to serve as both a preparation ground for major tournaments and a platform for developing emerging national programs. The diversity of participating nations—from traditional powerhouses to emerging competitors—suggests continued competitive evolution. The friendly match format's flexibility allows federations to nurture talent, test tactical approaches, and build team chemistry in lower-pressure environments than official tournaments provide. As baseball continues to expand globally, particularly in emerging markets in Asia, Europe, and Latin America, the friendly match category will remain essential to national team development and the sport's continued internationalization.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are International Friendly Baseball matches?

International Friendly Baseball matches are non-competitive exhibition games between national baseball teams. These matches serve as preparation and goodwill competition, featuring professional players from around the world competing for their nations.

How many teams participate in International Friendly Baseball?

Over 30 national teams can field competitive international baseball squads, including major powers like the United States, Japan, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and South Korea, plus European nations like the Netherlands and Italy.

When do International Friendly Baseball matches take place?

Friendly matches are typically scheduled during spring training seasons (March–April) and in the 1–2 months preceding major tournaments like the World Baseball Classic, WBSC Premier 12, and Olympic Games. Scheduling is flexible and varies year to year.

Is there a championship or official standings in Friendly International?

No official championship or standings exist for Friendly International matches. These are exhibition games played for preparation and goodwill purposes, with results tracked for historical record but carrying no official competitive stakes.

Who has won the most World Baseball Classic tournaments?

The United States has won the most World Baseball Classic tournaments with two titles (2009, 2017). Japan won in 2023, and Venezuela won in 2026, becoming the tournament's first-time champion.

What is the biggest win in recent International Friendly Baseball?

Cincinnati Reds defeated Cuba 19–2 on March 4, 2026, marking one of the largest margins of victory in recent friendly matches. The game featured dominant American performance during pre-tournament preparation.

API data: 1 May 2026 · Stats updated: 22 Apr 2026 · Content updated: 16 Mar 2026