Venezuela won the World Baseball Classic title for the first time, beating the United States 3-2 in the championship game at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on March 17, 2026. The victory marked Venezuela's first appearance in the WBC final; its previous best finishes were quarterfinals in 2009, 2013 and 2017.
Prior to Venezuela, only Japan (2006, 2009, 2023), the Dominican Republic (2013) and the United States (2017) had won the tournament. Venezuela carried momentum from a semifinal win over Italy on March 16.
Eduardo Rodriguez, a 32-year-old left-handed starter for the Detroit Tigers, pitched 4.1 innings for Venezuela, allowing one hit and striking out four, including United States captain Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. Rodriguez, who posted a 5.02 ERA over 22 starts with the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2023-2024, exited after 57 pitches to a standing ovation.
Venezuela's relievers limited the United States to two hits overall. The U.S. managed four baserunners before Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to tie the score at 3-3.
Venezuela took a 2-0 lead by the fifth inning. Maikel Garcia drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly in the third. Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu added a solo home run later in the fifth.
In the ninth, Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks hit an RBI double off Garrett Whitlock with two outs and a runner on second, scoring the go-ahead run. Daniel Palencia of the Chicago Cubs pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two, for the save.
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| United States | 2 | 2 | 1 |
loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, hosted the championship round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, including quarterfinals on March 13-14, semifinals on March 16-17 and the final.
