Venezuela wins first World Baseball Classic title with 3-2 victory over United States
Miami, Florida - Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park, securing the country's first title in the tournament.[1][2]
Eugenio Suárez, a 34-year-old third baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Major League Baseball, hit an RBI double off Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock in the top of the ninth inning with Javier Sanoja on second base after stealing second, scoring the go-ahead run.[1][3] Wilyer Abreu, an outfielder for the Red Sox, hit a solo home run earlier to help Venezuela take the lead.[1] Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper hit a solo home run off Andrés Machado in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game at 2-2.[1][2]
In the semifinal on March 16, 2026, also at loanDepot park, Suárez hit a solo home run against Italy as Venezuela advanced.[1] The U.S. team managed only two hits in the final until Harper's homer.[1]
Following the game, Suárez credited his faith in an interview with FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. "I mean, what can I say about this? It’s amazing. God is good, all the glory is for the Lord Jesus. He was with us the whole time," Suárez said.[1] He added, "We have to glorify, put his name in front of everything. Nobody believed in Venezuela, but now we [won] the championship today. This is a celebration for all [of Venezuela]. I just prayed at the time. God is good, man. God is good."[1][2]
Suárez, a native of Venezuela who has played 12 MLB seasons primarily at third base, emphasized team unity: "The union – we are together the whole time. We’re not just teammates, we’re all family. This team is awesome – we are family here."[1] Venezuela's previous best WBC finish was the semifinals in 2009; the nation reached the quarterfinals in 2023, losing 9-7 to the U.S. at the same venue.[3][4]
The 2026 World Baseball Classic, organized by the World Baseball Softball Confederation every four years, featured the final at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins in Miami Gardens, Florida.[4][5]
Sources
- FOX Sports, Eugenio Suárez post-game interview after Venezuela's WBC final win, March 18, 2026, https://www.foxsports.com/baseball/world-baseball-classic
- Fox News Digital, Venezuela shocks Team USA to win World Baseball Classic for first time by Scott Thompson, March 18, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- MLB.com, Eugenio Suárez player profile, accessed March 2026, https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608032
- World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), World Baseball Classic 2026 schedule and results, March 2026, https://www.wbsc.org/en/event/world-baseball-classic-2026
- Baseball-Reference.com, Eugenio Suárez career stats and WBC history, accessed March 2026, https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suareeu01.shtml
