Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, securing the country's first title in the tournament's history.[3][4]

Prior to this final, the World Baseball Classic had been won by Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2023, the Dominican Republic in 2013, and the United States in 2017.[1][2] Venezuela had advanced to the championship game after a semifinal victory over Italy on March 16.

The 2026 tournament concluded a two-week event held across several venues, with the final hosted at loanDepot Park, home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins.[3]

Eduardo Rodriguez, a left-handed starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitched 4.1 innings for Venezuela in the final.[5] Venezuela took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Maikel Garcia and extended it to 2-0 in the fifth on a solo home run by Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox.[6]

The United States managed just two hits in the game. Reliever Jose Butto, of the New York Mets, retired Aaron Judge with the bases empty in the sixth inning after Bryce Harper, first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, singled.[7][8]

Harper tied the score at 2-2 with a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, following a walk to Bobby Witt Jr.

Venezuela regained the lead in the top of the ninth when Eugenio Suarez, third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, hit an RBI double after a walk and stolen base.[9] Daniel Palencia then pitched the bottom of the ninth for the save, retiring Kyle Schwarber, Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony.

The victory marked Venezuela's first WBC championship. The next edition of the tournament is scheduled for 2030.

Sources

1. MLB.com
   World Baseball Classic History
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/history
2. WBSC.org
   World Baseball Classic Champions
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.wbsc.org/en/world-baseball-classic
3. MLB.com
   World Baseball Classic 2026 dates, venues announced
   14 August 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-dates-venues-announced
4. Miami Marlins
   loanDepot park
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/marlins/ballpark
5. MLB.com
   Eduardo Rodriguez Player Page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566
6. MLB.com
   Wilyer Abreu Player Page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-671737
7. MLB.com
   Bryce Harper Player Page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/bryce-harper-547180
8. MLB.com
   Aaron Judge Player Page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/aaron-judge-592450
9. MLB.com
   Eugenio Suarez Player Page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608030