Home World Baseball Classic Venezuela defeats United States 3-2 to claim first World Baseball Classic title

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Mar 18, 2026

Venezuela defeats United States 3-2 to claim first World Baseball Classic title

Miami, Florida (March 18, 2026) - Venezuela won the 2026 World Baseball Classic for the first time, rallying past the United States 3-2 in the final on March 17 at loanDepot park. The championship match capped the tournament's final round hosted at the Miami Marlins' stadium.[1][2]

Eugenio Suárez, a 34-year-old third baseman for Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks, hit an RBI double off Garrett Whitlock in the top of the ninth inning, scoring Javier Sanoja who had stolen second base. The hit followed Bryce Harper's solo home run in the bottom of the eighth off Andrés Machado that tied the score at 2-2.

Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, earlier hit a solo home run to help Venezuela take the lead. The U.S. managed just two hits prior to Harper's homer, with four baserunners total before the late rally attempt.

Suárez, who homered in Venezuela's semifinal victory over Italy on March 16 at the same venue, pointed skyward after his game-winning hit. In a post-game interview with FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Suárez credited his faith.[4]

"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. "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."

"The union – we are together the whole time. We’re not just teammates, we’re all family," Suárez added. "This team is awesome – we are family here. That’s why we play with passion, with love because we feel that on our jersey. We feel our country on the front of us."

Venezuela's triumph marked its first WBC title, improving on a best previous finish of quarterfinals in 2023. The nation had never advanced beyond that stage in five prior tournaments.[3]