Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

2026 WBC Just Got a Lot Bigger, Juan Soto Is In

Will the Mets be onboard?

Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The 2026 World Baseball Classic just got another major boost. New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto confirmed he will suit up for the Dominican Republic in next year’s tournament, telling reporters in a Spanish-language press conference that he’s “100%” in, barring injury.

Juan Soto announced that he will play for Team Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic pic.twitter.com/UueQdOtvJm
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 14, 2025

With Juan Soto’s announcement, another superstar commits to what’s quickly shaping up to be a loaded WBC. He joins Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick from the 2023 MLB Draft, a star in the big leagues already, who revealed just yesterday that he’ll represent Team USA. While Paul Skenes will take the field under the leadership of Yankees captain and ‘Captain America’ Aaron Judge, Juan Soto will represent the Dominican Republic.

This will be Soto’s second WBC appearance. He featured for the Dominican Republic in 2023, a campaign that ended earlier than expected when the team failed to advance past Pool D. But Soto stood out even in a short run, posting a staggering 1.500 OPS across four games, going 6-for-15 with two home runs.

Juan Soto got every stitch of that baseball! 😱 #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/M3PQoRwsnf
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 16, 2023

Now in his first season with the Mets after signing a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract, Soto has put up a .255/.380/.465 slash line with eight homers and 20 RBIs through 44 games.

Juan Soto in Dominican Republic Colors Soon

Juan Soto had hinted at his intentions earlier this year during spring training when he was seen chatting with Dominican Republic general manager Nelson Cruz. When asked about the WBC by Newsday‘s Tim Healey, he grinned and said, “I might be,” before nodding to Mets owner Steve Cohen: “It’s up to the boss.”

ALSO READ: Mike Trout’s Three-Word Response to Aaron Judge as Team USA Captain Says It All

That last part is no throwaway line. For MLB franchises, the WBC remains a source of both pride and apprehension. While players cherish the chance to represent their countries, the tournament’s timing during spring training affects players’ buildup into a rather grueling MLB season, and game time means scope for injury, which is all too common in the sport today, leaving teams even more uneasy. The Mets know that better than most: Edwin Diaz missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his patellar tendon while celebrating a Puerto Rico win during the last WBC.

Edwin Diaz appears to have suffered an injury during Puerto Rico's celebration pic.twitter.com/G9Md6SBrEj
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2023

With Soto now the face of the franchise and signed through 2039, it’s understandable if Cohen and the Mets brass have some hesitation. They’ve invested nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars in him, and a March injury would be the last thing they want. But the New York Mets and Steve Cohen also take pride in how they treat their players, so if Juan Soto wants to play, it is likely that the Mets won’t come in the way.

For now, Soto’s eyes are set on 2026. And with more stars joining the WBC early, next year’s edition is already shaping up to be the most talent-packed yet.

Juan Soto

Mets

World Baseball Classic

Mohsin Baldiwala

mlb

Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.