Miami, Florida. Venezuela will play the United States in the World Baseball Classic championship game on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park.[1][2]
A victory would give Venezuela its first WBC title. The previous champions are Japan (2006, 2009, 2023), the Dominican Republic (2013) and the United States (2017).[3]
Venezuela is in Pool A alongside Mexico, Italy, Great Britain and Nicaragua. The United States is in Pool C with Cuba, Canada, Panama and Colombia.[2]
Notable players for Venezuela include outfielder Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox, third baseman Eugenio Suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks and left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez.[4][5][6]
Team USA features Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper and New York Yankees outfielder and captain Aaron Judge.[7][8]
The tournament runs from March 6 to 17, 2026, with pool play followed by quarterfinals on March 13-14, semifinals on March 15-16 and the final, all quarterfinals and later stages at loanDepot park.[1]
loanDepot park is the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins.[1]
Sources
- MLB.com. "2026 World Baseball Classic venues, dates announced". November 16, 2023. https://www.mlb.com/news/2026-world-baseball-classic-venues-dates-announced
- MLB.com. "World Baseball Classic 2026 pool composition announced". May 9, 2024. https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-pool-draw-results
- MLB.com. "World Baseball Classic". Accessed October 2024. https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic
- MLB.com. "Wilyer Abreu". Accessed October 2024. https://www.mlb.com/player/wilyer-abreu-666742
- MLB.com. "Eugenio Suárez". Accessed October 2024. https://www.mlb.com/player/eugenio-suarez-608566
- MLB.com. "Eduardo Rodriguez". Accessed October 2024. https://www.mlb.com/player/eduardo-rodriguez-608315