Venezuela is the champion of the 2026 World Baseball Classic after upsetting Team USA 3-2 in dramatic fashion in Tuesday night’s title game.
Venezuela held a 2-0 lead into the eighth inning before Bryce Harper tied things up with a towering two-run home run in the bottom of the frame. But the game wasn’t tied for long as Eugenio Suárez slugged a clutch double in the top of the ninth to put Venezuela back in front. Daniel Palencia then shut the door in the bottom of the ninth to seal the first World Baseball Classic title in Venezuela’s history and USA’s second straight runner-up finish.
Venezuela had to stage a comeback in the semifinals to beat Cinderella story Italy and set up Tuesday’s showdown with Team USA, who won a tense 2-1 semifinal showdown against the Dominican Republic on Sunday night in Miami thanks to solo home runs from Gunnar Henderson and Roman Anthony.
The American bats were largely quiet against the D.R., and the story was the same in the title game as a powerhouse lineup that included Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr. and Kyle Schwarber mustered only three hits in a disappointing showing.
Here’s a look at the 2026 World Baseball Classic bracket:
2026 World Baseball Classic bracket
World Baseball Classic/MLB
Team USA’s advancement out of pool play was more nerve-wracking than expected, but the Americans got through to the semifinals thanks to Italy’s win over Mexico. Team USA lost to Italy the Italy-Mexico result. A narrow Mexico win would’ve sent the Americans packing.
Team USA finished in second place in Pool B, going 3-1 in group play. The U.S. easily beat Brazil and Great Britain before a close win over Mexico. The Americans then shockingly lost to Italy and set up a scenario where their quarterfinal fate was out of their hands. Italy, though, finished off a perfect round of pool play by beating Mexico to earn first place in Pool B. Italy’s win over Mexico prevented the knockout spots from being determined by the complicated WBC tiebreaker rules.
World Baseball Classic knockout results
Quarterfinals
Friday, March 13
Dominican Republic 10, Korea 0 (7)
United States 5, Canada 3
Saturday, March 14
Italy 8, Puerto Rico 6
Venezuela 8, Japan 5
Semifinals
Sunday, March 15
United States 2, Dominican Republic 1
Monday, March 16
Venezuela 4, Italy 2
Championship game
Tuesday, March 17
Venezuela 3, United States 2
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