Miami, Florida - Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park, securing the country's first title in the tournament's history.[1][2]
Eugenio Suárez, Venezuela's third baseman and Arizona Diamondbacks player, hit an RBI double off Garrett Whitlock in the top of the ninth inning, scoring Javier Sanoja from second base for the go-ahead run.[1][3] Wilyer Abreu had earlier hit a solo home run to help build Venezuela's lead.[1]
Bryce Harper hit a solo home run off Andrés Machado in the bottom of the eighth to tie the score at 2-2.[1] Team USA was limited to two hits overall in the game.[1]
In a post-game interview with FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Suárez credited his faith for the victory. "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 added, "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]."[1]
The 33-year-old Suárez, a native of Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela, also hit a solo home run against Italy in Venezuela's semifinal win the previous night, March 16, 2026, at the same venue.[1][4]
Venezuela's victory marks its first WBC championship. The country previously reached the semifinals in 2009.[2][5] The United States, featuring players like Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies, was seeking its third title after wins in 2017 and a runner-up finish in 2023.[2]
loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins, hosted the final as well as the 2023 WBC pool stage games and semifinals.[5][6]
Venezuela players will return to their Major League Baseball clubs ahead of the 2026 regular season start on March 27.[3]
Sources
- FOX Sports, "Venezuela shocks Team USA to win World Baseball Classic", March 18, 2026, https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/world-baseball-classic
- MLB.com, "World Baseball Classic 2026 Official Site", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/worldbaseballclassic
- World Baseball Classic Official Site, "2026 Schedule and Results", accessed October 2024, https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/
- MLB.com, "Eugenio Suárez Player Page", accessed October 2024, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-541768
- Wikipedia, "World Baseball Classic", accessed October 2024, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic
