Padres’ World Baseball Classic flex looks massive with 8 teams represented

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to begin March 3. It's an added layer of excitement that fans get to enjoy every few years, and though most will root for the United States, there is plenty to go around for other countries, too.

It you are a San Diego Padres fan, then you can root for eight different teams. Players are spread across the globe, representing their home country, or honoring their family's heritage.

In total, there are 11 Padres partaking in the 2026 WBC. Have a look at each player below to see which team they will be playing for in March.

Eight World Baseball Classic teams will feature Padres talent

Team USA

Mason Miller: Miller is the lone Padre to suit up for the Red, White and Blue. He is expected to be the team's closer, or deployed when needed the most. Miller's stock is already on the rise, but if he can dot up a 104 MPH fastball, then his stardom will be undeniable on a world stage.

Team Canada

Carter Loewen: Struggling with injuries in 2025, the 26-year-old right-hander appeared in 18 games with Double-A San Antonio, logging a 2.38 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. He also pitched in two games with Triple-A El Paso, throwing 2.1 scoreless frames.

Team Dominican Republic

Manny Machado: Machado is a WBC veteran. In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the Padres legend lofted two home runs, adding one double as he drove in four runs for the Dominican Republic. In 2017, he hit .269 with a home run in six WBC games.

Wandy Peralta: The left-handed reliever was a reliable option for San Diego in 2025, logging 71 games with a 3.14 ERA and 63 strikeouts.

Fernando Tatis Jr. : It almost feels like the World Baseball Classic needs Fernando Tatis Jr. There are very few players who feel like larger-than-life figures. Shohei Ohtani. Aaron Judge. Mike Trout. Let's not forget Tatis Jr., who definitely belongs in that cateogry. Him participating in the 2026 WBC is a bonafide win for all baseball fans.

Team Israel

Josh Mallitz: The 24-year-old pitched at three minor league levels in 2025, reaching as high as Double-A. With San Antonio, Mallitz threw 6.1 scoreless innings. He spent most of his time with High-A Fort Wayne, logging 51 strikeouts in 44 frames.

Team Italy

Alek Jacob: It was an up-and-down 2025 season for Jacob, who recorded a 5.13 ERA in 29 outings after showing flashes of reliability in 2024.

Ron Marinaccio: It seemed like Marinaccio was on the outs of being a big league pitcher, but he made the most of his opportunity in 2025. He allowed one run in 10.2 innings with the Padres, striking out 12 batters, signaling that he could be a reliable bullpen option this upcoming season.

Team Japan

Yuki Matsui: The southpaw pitched in one perfect inning of the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Now that he is more established, we can expect for Matsui to appear a few more times as Japan expects to make another deep run in the tournament.

Team Netherlands

Xander Bogaerts: Bogaerts was a .267 hitter with the Netherlands in the 2023 WBC with one home run and a double. Im 2017, he batted .227 with a triple and a pair of RBIs.

Team Panama

Miguel Cienfuegos: This past season, Cienfuegos pitched with both Triple-A El Paso and Double-A San Antonio. He spent most of his time in Triple-A, logging a 5.30 ERA in 52.2 innings with 40 strikeouts.