Venezuela Reaches First World Baseball Classic Final, Fueled by Past Loss to South Korea

Venezuela has advanced to the final of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, defeating Italy 4-2 in a semi-final game held at LoanDepo Park in Miami, Florida, on March 17, 2026. This marks the first time Venezuela has reached the championship game in the tournament’s history.

A History of Heartbreak

The Venezuelan team’s journey to the final is particularly poignant, given their past struggles in the WBC, especially a painful defeat in the 2009 semi-final against South Korea. That 2009 game saw South Korea defeat Venezuela 10-2, a result heavily influenced by a strong pitching performance from Yoon Suk-min.

Yoon Suk-min, then pitching for the Kia Tigers, allowed just two runs in 6⅓ innings, stifling Venezuela’s powerful lineup which included players like Miguel Cabrera and Felix Hernandez. Venezuela had never before reached the semi-final stage, and the loss was a significant setback for the baseball-rich nation. They would subsequently be eliminated at the semi-final stage in future tournaments, including a top-8 exit in 2023.

2026 Semifinal Victory Over Italy

Seventeen years after the loss to South Korea, Venezuela secured their place in the final with a 4-2 victory over Italy. The game was tightly contested, with Venezuela rallying in the seventh inning. Trailing 2-1, a timely infield hit by Ronald Acuña Jr. Sparked a three-run rally, with Mikel Garcia and Luis Araez also contributing with timely hits.

Looking Ahead: Championship Matchup Against the United States

Venezuela will now face the United States in the final, scheduled for March 18th (Korean time). Venezuelan manager Omar Lopez expressed excitement, stating, “This is a dream reach true moment for me. I have been thinking about what I can do in order to bring joy to our country.” Lopez anticipates Eduardo Rodriguez will start the championship game.

The United States is considered a strong favorite, but Lopez believes his team is capable of competing, stating, “While the United States is a superstar team, our players are also highly valuable. We will do our best for the motherland.”

The matchup is being viewed as a contest between Latin American baseball and the United States, with some observers suggesting support for Venezuela from other Latin American nations like the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, potentially due to perceived preferential treatment given to the United States in the tournament schedule and preparation.