The 2026 World Baseball Classic was a success overall, with several notable moments including Italy's Cinderella run to the semi-finals. Italy's team was largely made up of American-born players with Italian heritage, and they won 4-0 to win Pool B, including victories over both the United States and Mexico. They also defeated Puerto Rico in a quarterfinal game. Despite not winning all, Italy is expected to make a comeback in the next cycle. Mark Deosa, manager of Team USA, was criticized for not adequately managing the tournament. Despite this, Deosa's comments on MLB Network were not widely received. The tournament's winners and losers included Vinnie Pasquantino, the first player in the tournament with three home runs in a game, and Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen.