World Baseball Classic Day 2: Curtis Mead’s three-run homer sparks Australia win over Czechia; Japan and Chinese Taipei renew Premier12 final rivalry in Tokyo

Day 2 of the 2026 World Baseball Classic opened in Tokyo with Australia powering themselves to a second consecutive win. Curtis Mead and Alex Hall homered in a 5-1 win against Czechia.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is set to expand across all four host cities on Day 2, with pool play beginning in San Juan, Houston and Miami.

After the exciting opening day action at the Tokyo Dome, the tournament quickly widens in scope as teams across all four groups take the field for the first time. Eight games are scheduled across the day as the 20-team competition settles into its round-robin rhythm

World Baseball Classic Day 2

GROUP C GAMES

Japan @Chinese Taipei

The WBSC Premier12 2024 finalists took the field in a packed Tokyo Dome. Hao Chung Cheng took the mound for Chinese Taipei, while Japan handed the ball to superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Australia-Czechia 5-1

World No. 11 Australia defeated World No. 15 Czechia 5-1 on Friday in Group C of the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome, with Curtis Mead’s three-run homer turning the game before Alex Hall and Robbie Perkins added late runs.

“The guys are obviously pumped,” Mead said. “A big win today to kind of consolidate the win yesterday. Didn’t necessarily go how we wanted early but to tack on a few runs late and have the pitching staff shut it down was awesome.”

Australia had opened their tournament with a composed 3-0 victory over World No. 2 Chinese Taipei, with Robbie Perkins and Travis Bazzana providing the power while the pitching staff combined for a shutout.

Australia and Czechia traded scoreless first innings at the Tokyo Dome as both pitching staffs settled quickly. Travis Bazzana struck out to begin the game before Czechia answered with two strikeouts of their own to keep the early stages quiet.

Czechia struck first in the second inning. Martin Cervenka lined a double to left and Marek Chlup worked a walk before Martin Muzik moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Vojtech Mensik then lifted a sacrifice fly to centre field, allowing Cervenka to score and giving Czechia a 1-0 lead.

Australia responded immediately in the third. Chris Burke singled and Tim Kennelly reached before Bazzana drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Curtis Mead then crushed a three-run home run to left-centre field, bringing Kennelly and Bazzana home and swinging the game in Australia’s favour with a 3-1 lead.

After Curtis Mead’s three-run homer put Australia ahead, the game tightened through the middle innings at the Tokyo Dome.

Czechia threatened again in the third when Martin Cervenka lined his second double of the game, but Terrin Vavra grounded out to end the chance. Australia nearly added to their lead in the fourth when Jarryd Dale doubled and advanced to third, only for Ondrej Satoria to strike out Robbie Perkins to escape the inning.

Czechia pushed again in the fourth as Cervenka singled and stole second, but Australia’s defence held firm to keep the score at 3-1.

The bullpens then took control. Australia relievers Coen Wynne, Blake Townsend and Ky Hampton worked through the middle innings to preserve the lead, with Hampton striking out Vojtech Mensik to strand a runner in the seventh.

Australia finally added breathing room in the ninth when Alex Hall launched a solo home run to left-centre field, extending the lead to 4-1.

Australia kept the pressure on in the ninth after Jarryd Dale tripled to right field. Robbie Perkins then drove him home with a pop single to extend the lead to 5-1.

Chris Burke followed with a single and Tim Kennelly drew a walk to load the bases, but the inning ended when Travis Bazzana’s fly ball was overturned after a Czechia challenge, turning the play into a double play at the plate.

Czechia threatened in the ninth when Terrin Vavra drew a leadoff walk, but Mitch Neunborn shut the door. Curtis Mead started a groundout to move the runner to second before Marek Chlup flew out to centre and Martin Muzik popped out to first, sealing Australia’s 5-1 win.

Mead said the team’s approach at the plate helped create those opportunities.

“I think a lot of us are just trying to get our swing off and it's a team effort really,” Mead said. “Everyone had good at-bats today and wore the pitcher down. Ultimately they're bound to throw one in the middle every now and again. Credit to all the at-bats we've had over the past few days, and a few guys have been able to capitalise on the mistakes.”

Later in the evening, World No. 1 Japan, the defending World Baseball Classic champions, begin their title defence against Chinese Taipei in a matchup that revisits the 2024 Premier12 final, where Chinese Taipei claimed victory at the Tokyo Dome.

GROUP A GAMES

Pool A opens in San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning with World No. 10 Cuba facing World No. 8 Panama.

Cuba remain one of the most decorated teams in international baseball, having finished runners-up at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006 and winning three Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1996 and 2004. Panama enter the tournament after finishing fifth at the 2023 Premier12.

Later in the day, World No. 7 Puerto Rico begin their campaign against World No. 13 Colombia. Puerto Rico have twice finished runners-up at the World Baseball Classic, in 2013 and 2017, and will again aim to contend for the title in front of their home fans.

GROUP B GAMES

Houston also hosts its first games as Pool B begins at Daikin Park.

The opening matchup features World No. 6 Mexico against World No. 19 Great Britain, with Mexico arriving after their historic third-place finish at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

The second game sees World No. 3 and 2023 World Baseball Classic runners-up USA start their campaign against World No. 22 Brazil. USA won the World Baseball Classic in 2017 and remain one of the tournament favourites.

GROUP D GAMES

In Miami, Pool D begins with World No. 9 Netherlands meeting World No. 5 Venezuela.

Netherlands have been consistent performers in the tournament, finishing fourth in both the 2013 and 2017 editions, while Venezuela arrive after placing fourth at the 2023 Premier12.

The evening game sees World No. 16 Nicaragua face World No. 12 Dominican Republic, the 2013 World Baseball Classic champions. Nicaragua return to the tournament looking to build on their appearance in the 2023 edition.

The Standings

Looking ahead to Day 3

Day 3 of the World Baseball Classic continues pool play as action unfolds across all four host cities in Tokyo, San Juan, Miami and Houston.

The day begins in Tokyo where Chinese Taipei face Czechia to open the schedule in Pool C. Later in the evening, Korea take on hosts and defending champions Japan in one of the marquee matchups of the early tournament.

Attention then shifts to the Americas where Pool A resumes in San Juan. Colombia meet Canada before Panama face hosts Puerto Rico later in the day at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

In Miami, Pool D continues with Nicaragua taking on the Netherlands before Israel meet Venezuela at loanDepot Park.

The day concludes in Houston where Pool B resumes with Brazil facing Italy before Great Britain take on hosts USA to close out another busy day of pool play.

LA 2028 Qualification Process

The 2026 World Baseball Classic also forms part of the qualification pathway to LA28. The baseball tournament at the Olympic Games will feature six teams, and while USA is already qualified as host, the two highest-placed teams from the Americas at the World Baseball Classic will also earn quota places at the Olympic tournament.