Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata has begun unveiling his squad for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, announcing 19 of the 30 players who will represent Japan this March. The initial selections, revealed in late December and mid-January, combine established MLB veterans and young NPB stars, though many key players remain unconfirmed.
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani headlines the group as the Samurai look to defend their WBC title, with the two-way player aiming to add another MVP award to his overflowing trophy cabinet. Alongside Ohtani, Ibata has called up Yusei Kikuchi (Angels), Yuki Matsui (Padres), and Tomoyuki Sugano (Free Agent, formerly Orioles) from the Majors. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers), Kodai Senga (Mets), and Shota Imanaga (Cubs) are still unconfirmed, though fans are looking forward to them participating. Roki Sasaki, a big part of Japan’s 2023 rotation, and Tatsuya Imai, the latest member of the Houston Astros, will not be playing.
Reigning Sawamura Award winner Hiromi Itoh (Fighters) leads the domestic contingent after pacing NPB in both innings and strikeouts in 2025. Atsuki Taneichi (Marines) was selected after surging in the second half with a league-best 33% strikeout rate. Top relievers Daichi Ishii (Tigers), Taisei (Giants), and Yuki Matsumoto (Hawks) have also been called up, as well as Kaima Taira (Lions), who was tied for the Pacific League lead in saves last year but is expected to be stretched out as a starter again once the regular season begins.
Ibata’s second wave of announcements filled out much of the position-player core from NPB, led by four of Japan’s biggest stars. Shugo Maki (BayStars) has been a consistent offensive force, owning a career .854 OPS, and is a lock to be the team’s second baseman. Teruaki Sato (Tigers), the reigning 2025 Central League MVP, brings elite left-handed pop and is coming off his first 40-homer campaign, while teammate Shota Morishita is a rising star with 23 home runs and a 153 OPS+ in 2025. Kensuke Kondoh (Hawks) is arguably the best all-around player in the nation, posting an on-base percentage north of .400 in 10 of his last 11 seasons.
Somewhat surprisingly, veteran shortstop Sosuke Genda (Lions) was selected despite a down 2025 season, likely due to his experience from the 2023 tournament and defensive reliability. Behind the plate, Seishiro Sakamoto (Tigers) and Kenya Wakatsuki (Buffaloes) will be counted upon to lead the pitching staff while providing plus gloves. Ibata has already declared that a third backstop will be added to the roster. Hawks teammates Ukyo Shuto and Taisei Makihara profile as great bench pieces, providing excellent contact, speed, and defense, with the former leading the league in stolen bases in three consecutive years and the latter capturing the 2025 Pacific League batting title.
With 19 roster spots now accounted for, several high-profile players remain in contention for the final selections, including established bats like Seiya Suzuki (Cubs) and Masataka Yoshida (Red Sox), along with MLB newcomers Munetaka Murakami (White Sox) and Kazuma Okamoto (Blue Jays). On the NPB side, many top arms like Shunpeita Yamashita (Buffaloes), Hiroya Miyagi (Buffaloes), Shinya Matsuyama (Dragons), Hiroto Takahashi (Dragons), Koki Kitayama (Fighters), and Chihiro Sumida (Lions) remain available.
The full 30-man roster will be finalized later this month as Japan looks to capture its fourth WBC title, though historically stacked rosters from Team USA and the Dominican Republic will stand in their way.
Samurai Japan’s confirmed roster is now the following:
TWP Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)*
RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (Free Agent)
RHP Hiromi Itoh (Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters)*
RHP Atsuki Taneichi (Chiba Lotte Marines)
RHP Kaima Taira (Saitama Seibu Lions)
RHP Yuki Matsumoto (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks)
RHP Daichi Ishii (Hanshin Tigers)
RHP Taisei (Yomiuri Giants)*
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (Los Angeles Angels)
LHP Yuki Matsui (San Diego Padres)*
C Seishiro Sakamoto (Hanshin Tigers)
C Kenya Wakatsuki (Orix Buffaloes)
2B Shugo Maki (Yokohama DeNA BayStars)*
3B Teruaki Sato (Hanshin Tigers)
SS Sosuke Genda (Saitama Seibu Lions)*
OF Shota Morishita (Hanshin Tigers)
OF Ukyo Shuto (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks)*
OF Kensuke Kondoh (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks)*
UTL Taisei Makihara (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks)*
*Carry over from 2023 WBC
