Venezuela Advances to 2026 World Baseball Classic Final, Faces U.S.
Venezuela players celebrate after winning the 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinals game between Venezuela and Italy at loanDepot park baseball stadium in Miami. Photo: EFE.
March 16, 2026 Hour: 7:22 pm
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Venezuela defeated Italy 4-2 in the semifinal of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, securing their way to the grand finale for the first time ever, facing the U.S. team in the next game.
The Venezuelan team wrote this Monday, March 16, one of the most important pages of its history in baseball, defeating the national team of Italy 4-2 in the semi-finals of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) at the loanDepot Park in Miami, winning a direct ticket to the grand final of the tournament against the United States’ team.
With this result, Venezuela advanced to the game for the championship that will be against the U.S. team, after having left in the way the reigning champion Japan in the quarterfinals, while Italy bid farewell in their first historic appearance in the semifinals of the World Classic.
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Venezuela secured their historic final berth by defeating Italy 4-2, while the United States advanced for a third consecutive time, overcoming the Dominican Republic 2-1.
According to the result, both teams will contend for the 2026 World Baseball Classic Grand Final title on Tuesday, March 17, at 8 P.M. Miami local time.
This highly anticipated matchup pits two formidable teams against each other in a battle for baseball supremacy. While the U.S. is on its way to its second title in the World Classic, Venezuela wants to secure its first crown, which is also its first final 20 years since their debut.
Road to the Final
After finishing second in Group D, the Venezuelan team -known as “Vinotinto- showcased their strength early in the tournament. The group stage saw impressive victories, including a 6-2 triumph over the Netherlands and an emphatic 11-3 win against Israel. Despite a 0-4 loss to Nicaragua and a narrow 5-7 defeat against the Dominican Republic, their determination never wavered.
In the quarterfinals, Venezuela delivered a stunning upset, defeating the powerful Japan team, featuring Shohei Ohtani, by a decisive 8-5 margin. Their momentum continued into the semifinals, where they convincingly dispatched the surprising Italian squad – which had previously eliminated Puerto Rico with an 8-6 victory – with a categorical 4-2 win.
On the other hand, for the U.S. team managed by Mark DeRosa, the semifinal clash against the Dominican Republic on Sunday saw them emerge victorious with a tight 2-1 scoreline, powering the U.S. team to their third consecutive appearance in the World Baseball Classic Grand Final.
The U.S. team faced Japan in the 2023 final, falling 2-3 in a hard-fought contest. However, in the 2017 final, the United States showcased their overwhelming power, decisively defeating Puerto Rico with an 8-0 shutout to claim the championship title.
For Venezuela, reaching the Grand Final marks a historic achievement, as it is their first time competing for the ultimate prize in the World Baseball Classic. Their path, including overcoming the reigning champions Japan, has captured the imagination of baseball fans worldwide.
Under manager Omar Lopez, this is their second consecutive international event reaching such heights, having finished fourth in the Premier12 in Tokyo in 2024. In the 2006 and 2009 tournaments, Venezuela dominated their three encounters with a combined score of 23-1. However, the rivalry intensified significantly in 2017, when the teams played two memorable games, including a decisive tie-breaker to advance to the second round – a scenario no longer applicable under the current tournament rules.
The impending clash between these two nations promises to be a thrilling spectacle, full of intensity and high-level baseball. Both teams will leave everything on the field in pursuit of the coveted World Baseball Classic championship title, making for a memorable conclusion to the 2026 tournament.
Text reads: “¡Up Venezuela! Our national team continues to make history by beating Italy and reaching the grand final of the World Baseball Classic. Thank you for filling the entire country with joy and pride. Tomorrow, we’ll see each other in a sporting face-to-face with the U.S. Come on, boys! To continue carrying our tricolor to the top.”
Author: Laura V. Mor
Source: Agencies
