Team Venezuela defeated Team USA in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) on March 17. The WBC takes place every three years, and this edition’s championship game was hosted in Miami at LoanDepot Park in front of an enthralled evening crowd.
The United States was looking for its first title since 2017 and redemption after losing to Team Japan in 2023. Team Venezuela, on the other hand, was searching for its first WBC title since the tournament was inaugurated in 2003.
24-year-old New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean took the mound for the United States, and after surrendering a run off of a sacrifice fly ball in the top of the third inning, gave up a fifth inning solo home run to Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu, a native of Maracaibo, Venezuela. Eduardo Rodriguez, who has a career ERA of 4.19, also pitched into the fifth inning for Venezuela, and the bullpen would continue to keep the U.S. scoreless for the majority of the game.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Bryce Harper, who had remained relatively quiet at the plate throughout the tournament, had other plans for the championship game, launching a two-run home run to tie the game. For a moment, American fans believed they were back in the game as the offense seemed to heat up.
But as quickly as Team USA had evened the score, Venezuela was able to bounce right back as Eugenio Suárez hit an RBI double to earn the go-ahead run. Closer Daniel Palencia came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth and secured the win for Venezuela as he struck out two in the inning.
Venezuela finally claimed its spot atop the baseball world, and Venezuelans at home perhaps felt some joy after having undergone a chaotic 2026 so far.
“I know people are super happy right now in my country,” said Salvador Perez. Perez, who is a catcher for the Kansas City Royals and captain for Team Venezuela, also stated that “Valencia, where I come from, all my family is there … I had some family that never had the opportunity [to see me play]. Now, when I played in the WBC, they had the opportunity to see me play.”
“Arepa Power,” Venezuela’s national team nickname, was backed this year by the likes of 2023 National League MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (who would go on to be named MVP of the Classic). Team Venezuela was seen as an underdog in the tournament, as baseball analysts beforehand seemed to be solely obsessed with Japan, the Dominican Republic and the United States, which collectively hold the majority of baseball superstars.
But none of that mattered to the Venezuelans, as they were confident with their performances heading into the championship round. Though finishing second in their pool, Venezuela would handle Japan in the quarterfinals 8-5, and then get past Italy 4-2 to make their first-ever appearance in the finals.
Team USA, to say the least, was disappointing throughout their time in the classic. Yankees outfielder and three-time American League MVP Aaron Judge headlined the team, as other MLB juggernauts like Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and last year’s National League Cy Young winner, Paul Skenes, came forward to play for the red, white and blue. Despite the talent, unforced errors on the Americans’ part doomed the team as the tournament progressed.
Perhaps the most notable moment of carelessness was when Team USA manager Mark DeRosa, believing the U.S. had already earned a spot in the quarterfinals, put out a lineup including backup position players, when, in fact, their spot in the knockout stage was still uncertain.
“I was on Hot Stove with a couple of buddies today and completely misread the calculations,” DeRosa said. “We knew that Mexico was going to play Italy, and then running all the numbers, if we lost tonight with the runs allowed and runs scored and outs — so, I just misspoke.”
USA advanced to the knockout stage anyway, first beating Canada 5-3 and then the Dominican Republic 2-1, but their route to the championship was aided by some luck. The Dominican Republic had the tying run on third base when San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller, whose fastball average reaches speeds above 101 miles per hour, threw a pitch that should have been ball four to Geraldo Perdomo. But home plate umpire Cory Blaser called the pitch strike three, ending the game and sending the U.S to the final. Had the WBC been using the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, which can overrule incorrect umpire calls and is being implemented for the entirety of the 2026 MLB regular season, the game may have continued.
In any case, no single call can ever truly define the outcome of a tournament, and the 2026 WBC eventually concluded with a tense but enjoyable championship game. Team USA did what they could and walked away with silver, but all credit should go to Venezuela. Patient plate-appearances, intoxicating team chemistry and confidence in one another were how Venezuela guaranteed their WBC championship win, and that can only be applauded.
