Venezuela defeats United States 3-2 to claim first World Baseball Classic title
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.[1][2] Eugenio Suárez hit an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning to score Javier Sanoja from second base after Sanoja stole second, delivering the game-winning run off U.S. pitcher Garrett Whitlock.[1]
The game was tied 2-2 entering the ninth after U.S. designated hitter Bryce Harper hit a two-out home run in the bottom of the eighth off Venezuelan reliever Andrés Machado.[1] Wilyer Abreu had earlier hit a solo home run for Venezuela to extend its lead.[1] The U.S. team recorded just two hits in the contest.[1]
The night before, on March 16, Venezuela defeated Italy in the semifinals, where Suárez hit a solo home run.[1]
In a post-game interview with FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal, Suárez attributed the victory to his faith. "I mean, what can I say about this? It’s amazing. God is good, all the glory is for the Lord Jesus. He was with us the whole time," Suárez said.[1] He pointed skyward from second base after his double and later explained, "I just prayed at the time."[1]
"We have to glorify, put his name in front of everything. Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we won the championship today. This is a celebration for all of Venezuela," Suárez added. He described his teammates as family, playing with passion for their country.[1]
Suárez is a veteran Major League Baseball infielder who has appeared for Venezuela in prior World Baseball Classics.[3] Abreu is an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox.[4] Harper plays first base for the Philadelphia Phillies.[3]
The victory marked Venezuela's maiden WBC championship. The nation previously advanced furthest in 2009, reaching the semifinals before losing to Japan.[5] The tournament, sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, featured a format with five pools, quarterfinals, semifinals and final, concluding March 17-18 in Miami.[2]
Venezuelan players are set to rejoin their MLB clubs for the 2026 regular season, which typically begins late March.[3]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "Venezuela shocks Team USA to win World Baseball Classic for first time", March 18, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), "WBSC announces 2026 World Baseball Classic™ dates, venues and pool format", September 19, 2023, https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/wbsc-announces-2026-world-baseball-classic-dates-venues-pool-format
- MLB.com, "Eugenio Suárez Stats, Fantasy & News", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-570558
- MLB.com, "Wilyer Abreu Stats, Fantasy & News", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-690928
- Wikipedia, "Venezuela national baseball team", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela_national_baseball_team
