Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic title for the first time, beating the United States 3-2 in the championship game on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The victory came after Venezuela's semifinal win over Italy the previous night.

Previous WBC champions are the United States (2017), Japan (2023, 2009) and the Dominican Republic (2013, 2006).[1][2] The 2026 tournament final was hosted at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, which was selected to host the semifinals and championship game.[3]

Eduardo Rodriguez started for Venezuela, pitching 4.1 innings and allowing one hit while striking out four, including United States captain Aaron Judge. Rodriguez, a 32-year-old left-hander who turns 33 in April, posted a 5.02 ERA over the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[4][5]

Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning to extend Venezuela's lead to 2-0. Maikel Garcia added an RBI sacrifice fly in the third inning for the first run. Eugenio Suárez delivered an RBI double in the top of the ninth off Garrett Whitlock to score the go-ahead run after a walk and stolen base.

Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth for the United States, tying the score at 2-2. Daniel Palencia closed the bottom of the ninth for Venezuela, striking out Kyle Schwarber and Roman Anthony while Gunnar Henderson popped out.

Venezuela manager Omar López used a combination of starters and relievers, including José Buttó and Andrés Machado, to limit the United States to two hits.

Sources

1. MLB.com, "World Baseball Classic Champions," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/worldbaseballclassic/history/wbc-champions
2. WBSC.org, "World Baseball Classic," accessed October 2024, https://www.wbsc.org/en/world-baseball-classic
3. MLB.com, "World Baseball Classic 2026 host sites, cities announced," May 10, 2024, https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-host-sites-cities-announced
4. Baseball-Reference.com, "Eduardo Rodriguez Stats," accessed October 2024, https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodriged01.shtml
5. MLB.com, "Eduardo Rodriguez Player Page," accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566