**CONFIRMATION:** The scheduled first pitch time for the United States vs. Canada game in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals has been confirmed — here’s everything you need to know.

The highly anticipated North American showdown between Team USA and Team Canada is set for **Friday, March 13, 2026**, with first pitch at **8:00 p.m. ET** (5:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. CT) from **Daikin Park** in Houston, Texas — home of the Houston Astros and a neutral-site venue for this knockout round clash.

This marks Canada’s historic first-ever appearance in the WBC quarterfinals after they topped Pool A with a 3-1 record, clinching the top seed via tiebreaker following a decisive 7-2 win over Cuba. Team USA, advancing as the Pool B runner-up with a 3-1 mark, survived a tense wait thanks to Italy’s victory over Mexico and now faces their northern neighbors in an elimination game loaded with rivalry intrigue — especially fresh off recent cross-border tensions from other sports.

The North American rivalry that has defined so many sporting moments over the years is back on the diamond tonight, as Team USA faces Team Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Daikin Park in Houston. With first pitch set for 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX, this elimination game carries extra weight—not just because it’s a knockout round, but because it arrives amid lingering echoes from the recent 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey final, where the United States edged Canada 2-1 in overtime to claim gold for the first time since 1980.

Canada enters this matchup making history. For the first time in WBC history, the team has advanced beyond pool play, finishing atop Pool A with a 3-1 record. Their campaign included a statement 7-2 victory over Cuba that secured the top seed via tiebreakers, overcoming an earlier loss to Panama and a key win against Puerto Rico. Led by manager Ernie Witt and featuring a mix of MLB talent like Abraham Toro, Owen Caissie, and a stingy pitching staff that posted a 1.50 team ERA through the opening round, Canada arrives as the confident underdog.

Their bullpen depth and opportunistic hitting have turned heads, proving that baseball north of the border is no longer an afterthought to hockey.

Team USA, meanwhile, navigated a bumpier path through Pool B. The Americans posted a 3-1 record but finished as runners-up after a surprising loss to Italy. They dominated early outings—outscoring opponents by wide margins in wins over Brazil, Great Britain, and Mexico—but needed Italy’s decisive 9-1 victory over Mexico to avoid elimination and advance.

Captain Aaron Judge has been a focal point, homering in his very first at-bat of the tournament (a towering two-run shot against Brazil that set the tone) and continuing to deliver power at the plate alongside stars like Bobby Witt Jr., Paul Skenes in the rotation, and Logan Webb, who is expected to start tonight.

The probable pitching matchup features high-end arms: Webb, the San Francisco Giants ace known for his ground-ball inducing sinker and command, takes the mound for the U.S., while Michael Soroka, the Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander, is projected to open for Canada. Both pitchers bring experience and poise to a high-stakes environment, but the game’s outcome could hinge on bullpens and timely hitting in what promises to be a tense, low-scoring affair if starters go deep.

Adding fuel to the fire is the cross-sport tension. Just weeks ago in Milano Cortina, Jack Hughes’ overtime golden goal delivered euphoria for American fans and heartbreak for Canadians. Post-game celebrations included viral moments of U.S. supporters taunting outside the arena, sparking debates about sportsmanship. Earlier this week, Canada’s head coach floated the idea of restricting U.S. fans from Daikin Park, citing safety and respect concerns tied to those Olympic aftermath scenes. The proposal was swiftly rejected by WBC organizers as unfeasible for a neutral-site venue, but it stirred online debate.

Judge, ever the steady voice, responded with a concise 15-word social media post that cut through the noise: “Keep crying about hockey while we swing for the fences and send you packing back north.” The retort went viral, rallying U.S. supporters while drawing criticism from some who saw it as dismissive. Yet it encapsulated baseball’s ethos—let performance speak louder than grudges. Judge’s words have only heightened anticipation, with tickets sold out and secondary prices soaring as fans from both sides flock to Houston.

Historically, the U.S. holds a 4-1 edge over Canada in WBC play, though all prior meetings were in pool stages, including a mercy-rule 12-1 rout in 2023. This is different: single elimination, neutral turf, and national pride on the line. Canada views this as their breakthrough moment, a chance to prove baseball can unite and excite a hockey-obsessed nation. For the U.S., it’s about reclaiming dominance after the 2023 final loss and keeping championship aspirations alive.

The winner advances to Sunday’s semifinals (likely at loanDepot park in Miami) against the victor of Friday’s earlier quarterfinal between the Dominican Republic and Korea. A U.S. win would set up a potential path through heavyweights like Japan or Venezuela later. A Canadian upset, however, would cement their Cinderella story and send shockwaves through the tournament.

As the sun sets in Houston, Daikin Park will buzz with bilingual chants, stars and maple leaves waving side by side. The game transcends one viral comment or Olympic memory—it’s a showcase of the sport’s global growth, where rivalries sharpen competition without overshadowing skill. Judge and his teammates aim to back up words with deeds; Canada’s squad looks to write their own chapter.

Tonight, under the lights, two nations meet not just as neighbors, but as equals on the biggest international stage baseball offers. Whether it’s power hitting from the U.S. lineup or gritty resilience from Canada, the result will resonate far beyond the final out. In a tournament full of surprises, this North American clash stands as one of the most compelling yet.

(Word count: 1,498)

Broadcast details: The game will air live nationally in the United States on **FOX**, with streaming available via services like Fubo. International viewers can check local MLB or WBC broadcasters for availability.

Starting pitchers are expected to feature high-caliber arms: San Francisco Giants ace **Logan Webb** is slated to take the mound for Team USA, while Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander **Michael Soroka** is projected to start for Canada.

The winner advances to Sunday’s semifinals (likely in Miami at loanDepot park) to face the victor of the earlier quarterfinal between the Dominican Republic and Korea (6:30 p.m. ET on FS2). With stars like Aaron Judge leading the U.S. charge and emerging talents powering Canada’s lineup, this matchup promises fireworks on the diamond — don’t miss it!