The bracket for Williamsport is complete.
The 2026 Little League World Series is loaded with powerhouse teams and standout players ready for the spotlight.
From South Korea's dominant West Seoul squad to Canada's Little Mountain team, the International bracket is filled with contenders for the 2026 title. Add in Ohio, Alabama, Washington, Massachusetts, Texas, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey, and California representing the United States, and the stage is set for unforgettable drama.
Every regional winner fought through pressure-packed championship games just to earn this opportunity to end the summer as a Little League World Series champion. Now that the 2026 LLWS bracket is set, the countdown is officially on for the games to begin.
Here's
everything to know about the 20 teams in contention for this year's title.
US bracket teams
Great Lakes Region Champion
West Side Little League, based in Hamilton, Ohio, is one of the more decorated Little League teams arriving in Williamsport this year. The program has dominated Ohio competition for years and recently won its 23rd state Little League title this summer with a 4-3 win over Canfield Little League. West Side's Caiden Trent had the game-winning, walk-off, two-run double in the bottom of the sixth to clinch the state title. You could call West Side LL the premier youth baseball program in Ohio and the team has the resume to back it up. At this year's Little League Midwest Region, West Side went 4-0 and had two shutouts along the way to the regional title. This year will be West Side's sixth LLWS appearance after the squad made previous trips in 1991, 1993, 2007, 2010 and 2021. Despite a ton of success before reaching Williamsport, West Side has an 8-9 record in its five previous LLWS appearances. If West Side can replicate its pre-Williamsport success while in Pennsylvania, it would be the first Ohio team to ever win the Little League World Series.
Metro Region Champion
It's been a historic summer for Bayonne Central Little League (Bayonne, New Jersey). The Hudson County team from the north New Jersey area is going to Williamsport for the first time in the league's history. According to the Record of North Jersey, Bayonne Central LL is the 21st New Jersey charter across 15 different Little League charters in the Garden State to ever reach the global youth baseball tournament. Toms River East Little League, formerly Toms River East American Little League, was the last New Jersey team to go to Williamsport, in 2021. Bayonne Central defeated Darien Little League from Connecticut, 8-6, in the Metro Region Championship game to earn its spot in Williamsport. As far as LLWS championships, New Jersey has four titles already thanks to Hammonton Little League (1949), Toms River East Little League (1998), Wayne Little League (1970) and Lakewood Little League (1975). Will Bayonne Central continue this legacy with the state's fifth?
Mid-Atlantic Region Champion
East Side Little League, of West Chester Pennsylvania, is making its first Little League World Series appearance, but has the pitching and plate prowess to make a deep run in the tournament. East Side stormed through the Mid-Atlantic Region with three consecutive wins, outscoring their opponents 21-2. Pitchers Cole Warner and Ryan Donnelly combined for a 3-1 tournament championship victory against Naamans Little League of Wilmington, Delaware. With Warner also flashing power at the plate, East Side's offense has shown it has plenty of pop to support its strong starting rotation. West Chester is a roughly three-hour drive from Williamsport, so expect this team to have a raucous following as they move through play.
Midwest Region Champion
Iowa's Davenport Northwest Little League can brag about having one of the more dramatic ways to clinch a Little League World Series ticket. With Iowa trailing 6-4 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, Kannon Kane had a two-run single to tie the game. Teammate Anthony Johnson Jr., who had an incredible relief effort, would eventually come home from third on a wild pitch to beat an attempted tag for a 7-6 win. The star of the game was Iowa's Cooper Thissen, who had an impressive pitching line: 4 2/3IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, 4BB, 13K. He will be a player to watch in Williamsport for both his arm and his bat. And you have to tip your cap to Johnson Jr. for hanging in there on the mound and coming up with the play of the game with his feet. Iowa will send a team to Williamsport for the 16th time and the state is still looking for its first Little League World Series championship.
Mountain Region Champion
Paseo Verde Little League from Henderson, Nevada, will be in Williamsport for the second time in three years after making it in 2024. That year, Paseo Verde LL went 2-2 in World Series play. This year, Paseo Verde LL went 3-0 in the Mountain Region Tournament and defeated Billings Big Sky Little League, 9-2, in the championship game to punch its ticket to the Little League World Series. Since the creation of the Mountain Region Tournament in 2022 when Little League International expanded the World Series field from 16 to 20 teams, Nevada teams have dominated the bracket every year except 2022. Before that structural change, Nevada teams competed in the West Region bracket. Does Nevada have a Little League World Series champion? No. The state is still looking for title No. 1 but came close in 2025. In that year, Summerlin South Little League from Las Vegas was the U.S. Champion after being Connecticut, 8-2, but finished as the overall Little League World Series runner-up after losing 7-0 to Chinese Taipei.
New England Region Champion
Bridgewater Joe Lazaro Little League (Bridgewater, Massachusetts) is having a summer to remember as the team earned the right to play in Williamsport for the first time in the league's 74-year history. Bridgewater Joe Lazaro LL had a dominant showing in the New England Championship game as ace Dominik Mombeleur was tough on the mound and also clutch with the bat in an 8-0 win over Maine's Gray New Gloucester Little League. Mombeleur went five innings, struck out 14 and allowed only two hits and two walks. He'll be a name to remember for when Massachusetts plays its first game in Williamsport. According to the Enterprise of Brockton, Massachusetts, the Massachusetts-based squad has been on quite a roll since the state tournament by winning two state titles in the last three years and outscoring teams 26-1 in regional tournament play. Bridgewater Joe Lazaro will be the 13th Massachusetts team to play in Williamsport and the state is still seeking its first Little League World Series title
Northwest Region Champion
The All-Stars from SoundView Little League (Tacoma, Washington) will enjoy the atmosphere of Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the very first time when the team arrives for the Little League World Series. SoundView went 3-1 in the Northwest Region Tournament and became the sixth straight team from Washington to win the Northwest Region Tournament. Overall, SoundView LL will be the 18th team from Washington to qualify for the LLWS and the squad is aiming to bring another LLWS championship back to the state. Currently, the state of Washington has only one LLWS title and that's from Kirkland National Little League in 1982.
Southeast Region Champion
Teams from Phenix City, Alabama haven't been to the Little League World Series often. In fact, the city is making only its second-ever appearance in Williamsport afterPhenix City Youth Baseball Little League won the 2026 Little League Southeast Region Tournament, 4-0, over Nolensville Little League from Nolensville, Tennessee, on Aug. 11. If you have a good memory of a team from Phenix City making some noise in the LLWS before, then you're probably thinking of Phenix City National Little League in 1999 that won the U.S. Championship but lost the 1999 Little League World Series championship game to Japan. It is the same Little League team ‒ now under a new name. Speaking of names, you probably remember a few from that 1999 Phenix City National Little League team like Colby and Cory Rasmus, who went on to play in Major League Baseball. Cory's daughter Kinsley Rasmus is a standout pitcher for the 2026 Phenix City Youth Baseball Little League team and a name to watch in Williamsport.
Southwest Region Champion
Aug. 10, 2026 is a day that Boerne Little League (Boerne, Texas) will not forgot. When the day started, Boerne Little League was playing in an elimination game of the Southwest Region Tournament. A little bit before game time, that scenario changed dramatically as Tulsa National Little League, who had already qualified for the Southwest Region championship game, was removed from the Southwest Region Tournament and its previous game was ruled a forfeit. With that ruling from Little League, Boerne LL and Ascension Parish Little League were elevated to a one-game championship on Aug. 10. Boerne LL won that aforementioned game over Ascension Parish LL, 4-1, to claim this year's Southwest Region championship. Now, Boerne will head to Williamsport for the second time in three years after making its last appearance in 2024. In that previous visit to the LLWS, Boerne was the U.S. bracket runner-up and finished with an overall 3-2 record. While Boerne LL has never won the LLWS title, the state of Texas has two LLWS winners (Houston National Little League in 1950, Houston Westbury American Little League in 1966).
West Region Champion
Sweetwater Valley Little League (Bonita, California) is making its second trip to Williamsport after clinching this year's West Region title. In the regional championship game, Sweetwater Valley LL defeated Kawaihau Community Little League from Kapaa, Hawaii, 11-3, to clinch the final spot in the 2026 Little League World Series field. In Sweetwater Valley LL's first trip to Williamsport in 2015, the team advanced to the U.S. Semifinals and finished tournament play with a 3-2 record that year. With the regional championship victory, Sweetwater Valley becomes the 51st team from California to qualify for the LLWS. Does California have a LLWS title? Yes. The state has the most for U.S. teams with eight championships, the last coming in 2023 when El Segundo Little League defeated Pabao Little League from Willemstad, Curaçao, 6-5, on a dramatic walk-off home run in the sixth inning.
International bracket teams
Asia-Pacific Region Champion
West Seoul (B) Little League (Seoul, South Korea) started its charter in 2019 and the program will be making its second trip to the LLWS this year. Its first appearance came in 2017. In the Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament, West Seoul (B) LL cruised to a 6-0 record to earn its spot in Williamsport. According to Little League, “this win marks the eighth time a team from South Korea will make the trip to Williamsport, its first appearance dating back to 1984 and last trip coming in 2019. West Seoul (B) Little League is aiming for the fourth LLWS title for a team from South Korea. Previously, National Little League – Seoul in 1984, 1985 and Seoul Little League 2014) have the country’s three other LLWS titles.
Australia Region Champion
Ryde Little League (Sydney, New South Wales) will finally experience the aura of the Little League World Series this year after the program won the Australia Regional Tournament in 2021, but couldn’t travel to the United States as that year’s LLWS featured only teams from the United States due to the pandemic restrictions at the time, according to Little League. So, the 2026 adventure to the Pennsylvania mecca of youth baseball will be the team’s first official trip to the LLWS and the country’s 12th overall appearance. Here are some notable facts about Australia's participation in the LLWS: Perth Metro Central LL (Perth) — became the first Australian team to ever qualify for the Little League World Series in 2013. Also, 12 teams, including this year's entry (Ryde LL) have qualified for the LLWS but Australia, prior to the 2026 tournament, has never won the Little League World Series.
Canada Region Champion
Little Mountain Little League (Vancouver, British Columbia is making back-to-back appearances in the LLWS as the Canada Region representative. In fact, Little Mountain LL will visit Williamsport for the third time in five years after also earning the berth in 2022. The history of the league's participation in the LLWS goes all the way back to 1953 before Canada got a direct entry in the LLWS field of teams. The league's modern era of success also includes a trip to the international tournament in 2010. Since 2010, Little Mountain LL has gone 4-6 in LLWS games. Also, a team from Canada has never won the LLWS.
Caribbean Region Champion
Los Nacionales Little League (Santiago, Dominican Republic) punched its ticket to the 2026 Little League World Series, after defeating Aruba North Little League 5-3 to capture the Caribbean Region championship. Los Nacionales finished the tournament with a 7-1 record, earning the league’s first-ever trip to Williamsport and the Dominican Republic’s 10th appearance since 1978, according to Little League. The nation’s best finish came with a runner-up showing in 1983.
Curacao Region Champion
2026 is an important year for the country of Curaçao and especially for the Pariba Little League (Willemstad, Curaçao). According to Little League, “this year marks the first time a team from Curaçao earns direct entry to the International Bracket of the LLBWS.” Pariba LL earned its fifth berth to the LLWS and the country’s 16th appearance for the international tournament. When a Curacao team makes the LLWS, it usually performs very well as the country has four runner-up finishes and one LLWS title, which came in 2004 via Pabao Little League (Willemstad, Curaçao).
Europe & Africa Region Champion
South Czech Republic Little League has become a regular participant in the Little League World Series and the league is making its fourth consecutive trip to Williamsport under its current name. However, this will be the league's and also the country's sixth overall appearance as the aforementioned charter was previously called South Moravia Little League from Brno, Czechia when it qualified for the Little League World Series in 2013 and 2014. Despite all the regional success of South Czech Republic Little League, the charter has a victory in only one game during its history at the Little League World Series.
Japan Region Champion
Tokyo’s Joto Little League is heading back to Williamsport for this year's event after it amassed a 2-2 LLWS debut record in 2025. Joto LL clinched its spot after defeating Chiba Little League in the Japan Region Tournament title game. Joto LL was undefeated with a 4-0 record in the regional bracket to secure its second consecutive trip to Williamsport and the 35th total entry for Japan. Japan ranks third for most LLWS appearances at 35, trailing Canada (65) and Mexico (37). Since its first bid in 1962, Japan has set many individual and team milestones, including throwing one of five perfect games (1976) in LLWS history. Gaining direct entry since 2007, Japan has reached the championship game 16 times, capturing 11 titles overall, with the most recent title coming in 2017 thanks to Tokyo Kitasuna Little League.
Latin America Region Champion
Ministerio Sobre Las Alas Del Aguila Little League (Leon, Nicaragua) will be the Latin America representative in this year's Little League World Series. Ministerio Sobre Las Alas Del Aguila LL went 7-0 in the regional tournament and earned "the league’s first trip to Williamsport and only the fourth trip for the country (1968, 1970, 2022)," according to Little League.
Mexico Region Champion
Municipal de Tijuana Little League (Tijuana, Mexico) earned its third berth to the Little League World Series with its previous two appearances coming in 2013 and 2023. Mexico’s rich Little League tradition continues with its 38th LLBWS appearance since 1957, the second-most by any international participant after Canada, according to Little League. Also, Mexico has very impressive LLWS stats: 81-63 overall record, three LLWS titles (1957, 1958 and 1997), four runner-up finishes and three third-place finishes. Another notable fact about Mexico’s participation in the LLWS, it was the first international team to ever win the LLWS title back in 1957.
Panama Region Champion
David Doleguita Little League (Chiriquí, Panamá) became the first team to qualify for the 2026 Little League World Series this year. David Doleguita LL amassed an 11-3 record after winning a three-game championship series to earn its spot in Williamsport. According to Little League, “This will be the second time David Doleguita LL appears in the LLBWS, dating back to the league’s first appearance in 1993 when it finished as runner-up to the champion Long Beach (Calif.) Little League.” Also, a team from Panama will be in the LLWS for the 14th time since the country secured its first berth in 1984.
Little League World Series winners, by country, as of 2025
- 1. United States: 40
- 2. Chinese Taipei: 18
- 3. Japan: 11
- T4. Mexico: 3
- T4. South Korea: 3
- 6. Venezuela: 2
- 7. Curaçao: 1
United States Little League World Series winners, by state, as of 2025
- 1. California: 8
- T2. Connecticut: 4
- T2. Hawaii: 4
- T2. New Jersey: 4
- T2. Pennsylvania: 4
- T6. Georgia: 3
- T6. New York: 3
- T8. Michigan: 2
- T8. Texas: 2
- T10. Alabama: 1
- T10. Florida: 1
- T10. Kentucky: 1
- T10. Louisiana: 1
- T10. New Mexico: 1
- T10. Washington: 1
History of Little League World Series winners by year, from 2025-1947
- 2025: Taipei, Chinese Taipei
- 2024: Lake Mary, Florida
- 2023: El Segundo, California
- 2022: Honolulu, Hawaii
- 2021: Taylor, Michigan
- 2019: River Ridge, Louisiana
- 2018: Honolulu, Hawaii
- 2017: Tokyo, Japan
- 2016: Endwell, New York
- 2015: Tokyo Japan
- 2014: Seoul, South Korea
- 2013: Tokyo, Japan
- 2012: Tokyo, Japan
- 2011: Huntington Beach, California
- 2010: Tokyo, Japan
- 2009: Chula Vista, California
- 2008: Waipahu, Hawaii
- 2007: Warner Robins, Georgia
- 2006: Columbus, Georgia
- 2005: ‘Ewa Beach, Hawaii
- 2004: Willemstad, Curaçao
- 2003: Tokyo, Japan
- 2002: Louisville, Kentucky
- 2001: Tokyo, Japan
- 2000: Maracaibo, Venezuela
- 1999: Hirikata, Japan
- 1998: Toms River, New Jersey
- 1997: Guadalupe, Mexico
- 1996: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- 1995: Tainan, Taiwan
- 1994: Maracaibo, Venezuela
- 1993: Long Beach, California
- 1992: Long Beach, California
- 1991: Taichung, Taiwan
- 1990: Tainan County, Taiwan
- 1989: Trumbull, Connecticut
- 1988: Taichung, Taiwan
- 1987: Hualien, Taiwan
- 1986: Tainan Park, Taiwan
- 1985: Seoul, South Korea
- 1984: Seoul, South Korea
- 1983: Marietta, Georgia
- 1982: Kirkland, Washington
- 1981: Taichung, Taiwan
- 1980: Hualien, Taiwan
- 1979: Chiayi, Taiwan
- 1978: Pingtung, Taiwan
- 1977: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- 1976: Tokyo, Japan
- 1975: Lakewood, New Jersey
- 1974: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- 1973: Tainan City, Taiwan
- 1972: Taipei, Taiwan
- 1971: Tainan, Taiwan
- 1970: Wayne, New Jersey
- 1969: Taipei, Taiwan
- 1968: Wakayama, Japan
- 1967: West Tokyo, Japan
- 1966: Houston, Texas
- 1965: Windsor Locks, Connecticut
- 1964: Staten Island, New York
- 1963: Granada Hills, California
- 1962: San Jose, California
- 1961: El Cajon, California
- 1960: Levittown, Pennsylvania
- 1959: Hamtramck, Michigan
- 1958: Monterrey, Mexico
- 1957: Monterrey, Mexico
- 1956: Roswell, New Mexico
- 1955: Morrisville, Pennsylvania
- 1954: Schenectady, New York
- 1953: Birmingham, Alabama
- 1952: Norwalk, Connecticut
- 1951: Stamford, Connecticut
- 1950: Houston, Texas
- 1949: Hammonton, New Jersey
- 1948: Lock Haven, Pennsylvania
- 1947: Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Sherlon Christie is a USA TODAY Sports senior trending editor and an expert on Little League Baseball and Little League Softball. You can reach him by email at schristie@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @sherlonchristie, on Bluesky at @sherlonchristie.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Little League World Series: Meet the 2026 teams headed to Williamsport
