Venezuela's first World Baseball Classic

A ninth-inning double in Miami beat Team USA 3–2 and gave Venezuela the title.

WCS Desk

14 SEP 2026 · 3 MIN READ

A baseball resting in a leather glovePhoto: Envato Elements

01 The ninth inning

Venezuela led 2–0 until Bryce Harper's two-run home run tied the final in the eighth. Eugenio Suárez answered with a go-ahead double in the top of the ninth, and Daniel Palencia closed it out.

The final was at loanDepot park in Miami on 17 March 2026. The United States lost a second straight final, after falling 3–2 to Japan in 2023.

02 The roll of honour

Japan have three titles (2006, 2009, 2023). The Dominican Republic, the United States and now Venezuela have one each.

Sources & corrections

[1] MLB/WBC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BOX SCORE, 17 MARCH 2026

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