MIAMI, March 17, 2026 -- Venezuela beat the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic championship game at loanDepot Park, winning the tournament for the first time in its history.[1][2]

The 2026 edition of the tournament ran from March 5 to 17, with the final hosted at loanDepot Park, home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins in Miami, Florida.[1]

Prior WBC champions are the United States (2017), Japan (2006, 2009, 2023) and Dominican Republic (2013).[2][3] Venezuela's victory makes it the fourth different winner in nine editions of the event.

Venezuela's roster featured Major League Baseball players including pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez and infielder Eugenio Suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and outfielder Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox.[4][5]

The United States entered the final as the defending champion from the 2017 tournament, with players such as Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper and New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, listed as team captain.[6]

Daniel Palencia earned the save in the final inning for Venezuela.[7]

Sources

1. MLB.com
   World Baseball Classic to return March 5-17, 2026
   Publication date: September 15, 2023
   https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-to-return-march-5-17-2026
2. Wikipedia
   World Baseball Classic - Results section
   Accessed October 2024
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic#Results
3. World Baseball Classic official site
   Tournament history
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/
4. MLB.com
   Eduardo Rodriguez player page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566
5. MLB.com
   Wilyer Abreu player page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-680736
6. MLB.com
   Bryce Harper player page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/bryce-harper-547248
7. MLB.com
   Daniel Palencia player page
   Accessed October 2024
   https://www.mlb.com/player/daniel-palencia-680969