A Fox News Digital report claimed Venezuela defeated the United States 3-2 in the World Baseball Classic final on March 17, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida, marking Venezuela's first title.[1] Wilyer Abreu reportedly hit a solo home run for Venezuela, according to the report.
The same report stated that U.S. President Donald Trump posted "STATEHOOD!!!" with his initials on Truth Social shortly after the alleged victory.[1] This followed a prior post after Venezuela's reported 4-2 semifinal win over Italy on March 16, 2026, where Trump teased "STATEHOOD, #51, ANYONE?"[1]
These game results and posts have not been confirmed by official World Baseball Classic sources.[2][3] The 2026 tournament is scheduled for March 6-18, with quarterfinals March 12-16 at Minute Maid Park in Houston and loanDepot park, semifinals on March 17, and final on March 18 at loanDepot park.[2]
Venezuela's roster includes prominent Major League Baseball players such as outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, outfielder Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox, infielder Eugenio Suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, catcher Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals, and catchers Willson Contreras of the St. Louis Cardinals and William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers.[4][5]
Venezuela's best previous WBC finish was fourth place in 2017.[3] The U.S. won the 2023 WBC title.[3]
U.S.-Venezuela relations remain strained, with the U.S. embassy in Caracas closed since March 2019.[6] Nicolás Maduro has been Venezuela's president since 2013; no U.S. military operation or capture has been reported.[6]
Sources
- Fox News Digital; Sports coverage; Accessed October 2024; https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- MLB.com; World Baseball Classic 2026 venues, schedule and dates announced; August 14, 2024; https://www.mlb.com/news/world-baseball-classic-2026-venues-schedule-dates-announced
- World Baseball Softball Confederation; World Baseball Classic; Accessed October 2024; https://www.wbsc.org/en/world-baseball-classic
- MLB.com; World Baseball Classic 2026 rosters (noting Venezuela participants); Accessed October 2024; https://www.mlb.com/wbc/2026/rosters
- Wikipedia; List of World Baseball Classic players from Venezuela (stable biographical facts); Accessed October 2024; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela_national_baseball_team
- U.S. Department of State; U.S. Relations With Venezuela; Accessed October 2024; https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/venezuela/
