Venezuela Beats USA To Win 1st WBC Title

(Screenshot of Team Venezuela's Eugenio Suarez after his double which put his team ahead for good)

Team Venezuela has done it!!!

They bested Team USA 3-2 in the final of the 2026 World Baseball Cup in Miami to win their first WBC title.

Venezuela broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the 9th on a double by Eugenio Suarez. The US squad had tied the contest 2-2 in the bottom of the 5th on a HR by Bryce Harper.

The Venezuelan team was something of a sleeper team. They had beat the Netherlands, Israel and Nicaragua before losing to the Dominican Republic. But then everyone sat up and took notice when they ousted the 3-time WBC champion Team Japan.

Last night, they ended Team Italy's Cinderella story with a come from behind victory scoring 3 runs in the 7th inning to reach the final against Team USA.

I must admit I am still a bit downcast with the U.S.-Venezuela final given what has transpired since the beginning of 2026. Yet, under the circumstances, I am happy for Team Venezuela. Winning the WBC means a whole lot more to Venezuela than it does to this country. This triumph will provide a considerable source of joy for a country which has not had a lot to cheer about either from their own government or from ours.