Eugenio Suarez claimed “no one believed in Venezuela” after hitting a tiebreaking double within the ninth innings of the 2026 World Baseball Traditional ultimate to assist his nation develop into champions for the primary time on an emotionally charged evening in Miami.
Nearly all of the gang of greater than 36,000 noisily backed Venezuela, who established a 2-0 lead over star-studded opponents and overcame Bryce Harper’s two-run homer within the eighth to make historical past.
“We’re household right here,” Suarez informed FOX within the instant aftermath of the underdog victory. “That’s why we play with ardour, with love – as a result of we really feel that jersey, we really feel our nation in entrance of us.
“That’s why this can be a lot for us as gamers, as individuals, as human beings and as Venezuelans. Now we’re the champions.
“No one believed in Venezuela, however now we’ve gained the championship. It’s a celebration for all of the Venezuelan nation.”
Why does the World Baseball Traditional imply a lot?
Workforce USA, the Dominican Republic and dethroned champions Japan had been thought of significantly extra more likely to win the title than Venezuela, who reached the semi-finals for the primary time since 2009 by beating the holders within the quarter-finals.
Maikel Garcia was named match Most Precious Participant and led the sphere with 10 hits for the facet captained by veteran Salvador Perez.
“I’ve by no means seen any group rejoice and revel in a victory greater than Venezuela did,” noticed ESPN analyst Tim Kurkjian.
The social gathering is on for Workforce Venezuela! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/LeqLb8zhK7
— World Baseball Traditional (@WBCBaseball) March 18, 2026
“It means every part to them. That’s what the World Baseball Traditional is all about: pleasure within the nation. The vitality and emotion we noticed within the WBC was completely breathtaking.
“In a personal second, gamers from Venezuela will let you know that is even greater than successful the World Collection for them in the US.”
WBC 2026: Bryce Harper on Workforce USA’s ‘nice probability’
Workforce USA’s roster was thought to be the very best on the match, with breakout star Roman Anthony and Logan Webb among the many gamers to obtain All-Match honors as a part of a group that includes reigning Cy Younger winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal.
“I like the environment and I like the possibility,” Harper stated of his starring position within the decider. “Grateful for it.
“We tied it up proper there, and we had an excellent probability to win that recreation. I simply tried to benefit from the second, the environment, every part. It was very loud in there tonight.”
World Baseball Traditional ‘pleasure’
The match lasted 13 days, with a pool stage held in Tokyo, San Juan, Houston and Miami and the following matches held fully within the US.
Kurkjian stated followers had been “having the very best time ever”. “That’s type of the thought right here,” he added. “We’re presupposed to be having fun with the sport and there was no extra pleasure than we noticed on this World Baseball Classic.
“It was in all places. Each recreation you went to was simply stunningly good so far as the vitality and the emotion.”
Path to the 2026 WBC ultimate: Full Venezuela, Workforce USA outcomes
Right here’s how the finalists fared on the match.
| Date | Stage | Consequence |
| March 6 | Pool | Venezuela 6-2 Netherlands |
| March 6 | Pool | USA 15-5 Brazil |
| March 7 | Pool | Venezuela 11-3 Israel |
| March 7 | Pool | USA 9-1 Nice Britain |
| March 9 | Pool | Venezuela 4-0 Nicaragua |
| March 9 | Pool | USA 5-3 Mexico |
| March 10 | Pool | USA 8-6 Italy |
| March 11 | Pool | Venezuela 7-5 Dominican Republic |
| March 13 | Quarterfinal | USA 5-4 Canada |
| March 14 | Quarterfinal | Venezuela 8-5 Japan |
| March 15 | Semifinal | USA 2-1 Dominican Republic |
| March 16 | Semifinal | Venezuela 4-2 Italy |
| March 17 | Last | Venezuela 3-2 USA |
