Makihara Taisei Earns Second Consecutive World Baseball Classic Nod for Samurai Japan

Taisei Makihara (33) of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks has been selected for Samurai Japan to compete in the 2026 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC™ (WBC), marking his second consecutive appearance in the tournament. Makihara's participation in this major event, following his role in the 2023 tournament, will once again put his proven skills to the test on the international stage.

This time, a total of four players from the Hawks have been chosen for Samurai Japan alongside Makihara: pitcher Yuki Matsumoto (jersey number 66), infielder Ukyo Shuto (jersey number 20), and outfielder Kensuke Kondo (jersey number 8). They are expected to form the core of the team. Makihara, in particular, has elevated his status as a player in recent years, winning batting titles, a Golden Glove Award, and a Best Nine award. He will enter the WBC with this momentum. His jersey number for the tournament has been announced as "5".

Makihara reportedly learned of his selection through a club announcement during his personal training, unable to hide his joy. On social media, fans have flooded him with congratulatory messages such as "Two consecutive selections, I'm so moved!" and "The strongest utility Samurai," showing immense anticipation for his versatile talent and clutch performance.

Other top domestic and international players joining Samurai Japan for this WBC include Shugo Maki (DeNA, jersey number 2), catcher Kenya Wakatsuki (Orix, jersey number 4), Sosuke Genda (Seibu, jersey number 6), Teruaki Sato (Hanshin, jersey number 7), catcher Seishiro Sakamoto (Hanshin, jersey number 12), pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano (FA, jersey number 19), and Shota Morishita (Hanshin, jersey number 23). A formidable lineup is coming together as the team aims for back-to-back world championships.

With the experienced Makihara expected to be a crucial piece for Samurai Japan, anticipation for the March 2026 WBC continues to grow.

The context

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation and Major League Baseball (MLB). It is one of the premier international baseball competitions, bringing together national teams from around the world. 'Samurai Japan' is the popular nickname for the Japanese national baseball team. They are the reigning champions, having won the 2023 tournament, and are widely regarded as one of the strongest teams globally. The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks are one of the most successful and dominant professional baseball teams in Japan's Pacific League. Based in Fukuoka, Kyushu, they have a strong fan base and consistently produce top-tier talent. Taisei Makihara is known for his versatility, capable of playing multiple infield and outfield positions, and his clutch hitting, making him a valuable asset to any team, especially in an international tournament where adaptability is key.

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