The World Baseball Classic opening round threw up a few surprises in Pool C, where Mexico, the United States, Great Britain, Colombia and Canada were vying for two quarter final slots.

Surprise number one was Mexico’s unexpected 11-5 win over the United States on March 12. The U.S. team recovered  quickly though, defeating its three other pool rivals to qualify for the quarters behind group winners Mexico. The exploits of the Mexican team earned the praise of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a keen baseball player and fan. Despite a 18-8 walloping by Canada, debutants Great Britain beat Colombia and, by dint of finishing in fourth place in the pool, gained automatic qualification for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.