Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic title, beating the United States 3-2 in the championship game on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The final was held at the Miami Marlins' stadium, which also hosted the 2023 WBC final.[1][3]

Prior to Venezuela's victory, only three nations had won the tournament: Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2023; the Dominican Republic in 2013; and the United States in 2017.[2]

Venezuela advanced to the final after defeating Italy in the semifinals on March 16. Manager Omar Lopez's team relied on strong pitching and timely hitting to secure the win.

Eduardo Rodriguez, a left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, started for Venezuela and pitched 4.1 innings. Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run in the fifth inning to extend Venezuela's lead.[4]

The United States tied the score in the bottom of the eighth on a two-run home run by Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies. Venezuela regained the lead in the top of the ninth on an RBI double by Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks.[5]

Daniel Palencia earned the save in the bottom of the ninth, striking out the side to close out the victory.

Sources

1. MLB.com
   2026 World Baseball Classic dates, venues announced
   November 16, 2023
   https://www.mlb.com/news/2026-world-baseball-classic-dates-venues-announced
2. Wikipedia
   World Baseball Classic
   Accessed October 2024
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic
3. Wikipedia
   LoanDepot park
   Accessed October 2024
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LoanDepot_park
4. Baseball-Reference.com
   Wilyer Abreu
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/abreuwi01.shtml
5. Baseball-Reference.com
   Bryce Harper
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml