Mets' Juan Soto to Play for Dominican Republic in 2026 World Baseball Classic

Juan Soto will represent the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (h/t Warstic's Shawn Spradling).

The New York Mets star confirmed he will participate in the event as long as he is healthy on Wednesday in a Spanish language press conference.

The World Baseball Classic will take place in March 2026, with the championship game set for March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami.

Soto is slashing .255/.380/.465 with eight home runs and 20 RBI in the first 43 games of his New York Mets career.

Tim Healey of Newsday previously reported that Soto had spoken with Nelson Cruz, the general manager of the Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic team, in March.

When asked if he would represent the country at the 2026 tournament, Soto said in March, "I might be. I need permission from the boss."

He then gestured toward Mets owner Steve Cohen's box, per Healey.

Soto previously represented the Dominican Republic at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which was held in Japan, Taiwan and the United States.

The Dominican Republic will battle for a place in the quarterfinals in a first-round pool with Venezuela, Netherlands, Israel and Nicaragua next March.

Soto was born in Santo Domingo. He went pro by signing with the Washington Nationals as an international free agent in 2015.

He set an MLB record when he signed with the Mets for 15 years and $765 million ahead of the 2025 season.

For now, Soto will prepare to face his former team on Friday when the Mets head to the Bronx to take on the New York Yankees in the first contest of the three-game Subway Series.