The championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic is set for March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida. The tournament runs from March 6 to 17 and features 20 national teams across four pools.[1][2]
Venezuela qualified from Pool D at Chase Field in Phoenix, alongside Japan, the Netherlands and Chinese Taipei. The United States qualified from Pool B at loanDepot park, alongside Canada, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.[1]
A victory would give Venezuela its first WBC title. The nation reached the quarterfinals in 2009, 2013 and 2017 but has not advanced further.[3]
The United States is seeking its first WBC championship after finishing as runner-up in 2023, when Japan defeated it 3-2 in the final at loanDepot park on March 21.[4][5]
Japan holds a record three WBC titles (2006, 2009, 2023), while the Dominican Republic has won twice (2013, 2017).[4]
Prominent Venezuelan players include starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, a left-hander with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and outfielder Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox. Third baseman Eugenio Suárez also plays for the Diamondbacks. Omar López managed Venezuela in the 2023 tournament.[3][6][7][8]
Team USA features first baseman Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies and captain Aaron Judge, an outfielder for the New York Yankees.[9][10]
loanDepot park has been the Miami Marlins' home since 2012 and hosted the 2023 WBC final.[2][11]
Past World Baseball Classic champions
- 2006: Japan defeated Cuba 10-6
- 2009: Japan defeated South Korea 5-3 (10 innings)
- 2013: Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 3-0
- 2017: Dominican Republic defeated Puerto Rico 11-5
- 2023: Japan defeated United States 3-2
Sources
- MLB.com
MLB announces host sites, pools for 2026 World Baseball Classic
16 November 2023
https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-announces-host-sites-pools-for-2026-world-baseball-classic - World Baseball Classic official site
2026 WBC Schedule & Tickets
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://www.worldbaseballclassic.com/schedule - Wikipedia
Venezuela national baseball team
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela_national_baseball_team - Wikipedia
World Baseball Classic
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Baseball_Classic - MLB.com
Japan tops Team USA for WBC title
21 March 2023
https://www.mlb.com/news/japan-wins-2023-world-baseball-classic - MLB.com
Eduardo Rodriguez player page
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608566 - MLB.com
Wilyer Abreu player page
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-681735 - MLB.com
Eugenio Suárez player page
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608417 - MLB.com
Bryce Harper player page
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/bryce-harper-547248 - MLB.com
Aaron Judge player page
Accessed 15 October 2024
https://www.mlb.com/player/aaron-judge-592450