Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic title with a 3-2 victory over the United States in the final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The tournament, organized every four years by Major League Baseball and the World Baseball Softball Confederation, has previously been won only by Japan (2006, 2009, 2023), the Dominican Republic (2013) and the United States (2017).[1][2]

Venezuela carried momentum from a semifinal win over Italy the previous night. Starter Eduardo Rodriguez, a left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitched 4 1/3 innings and allowed one hit while striking out four batters, including United States captain Aaron Judge.[4] Venezuela relievers limited the United States to two hits overall.

Venezuela took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia. Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu extended the lead to 2-0 with a solo home run in the fifth.[3]

Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth for the United States, tying the score at 2-2 after a walk to Bobby Witt Jr. Venezuela regained the lead in the top of the ninth on an RBI double by Eugenio Suarez, who plays third base for the Arizona Diamondbacks, scoring pinch-runner Javier Sanoja from second base after a steal.[5]

Daniel Palencia pitched the bottom of the ninth for the save, striking out Kyle Schwarber and Roman Anthony while Gunnar Henderson popped out.

loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, hosted the championship game.[6]

Sources

1. MLB, "World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
2. Wikipedia, "World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic
3. MLB, "Wilyer Abreu", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-666742
4. MLB, "Eduardo Rodriguez", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566
5. MLB, "Eugenio Suarez", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-501353