Key Points
Bullet point summary by AI
- Team USA advanced through the 2026 World Baseball Classic with wins over Canada and the Dominican Republic.
- They will face a formidable opponent in the championship game on Tuesday at loanDepot Park in Miami.
- A red-hot team, not the expected Japan, will challenge Team USA for their first WBC title since 2017.
As expected when the tournament began two weeks ago, Aaron Judge, Paul Skenes and Team USA secured a spot in the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship game. But their opponent on Tuesday night won't be Japan as expected.
After needing help from Team Italy just to reach the quarterfinals, the Americans have since taken care of business. First, Team USA notched a 5–3 victory over Canada in the quarterfinals. Then came a thrilling (if controversial) 2–1 victory over the Dominican Republic in the semis over the weekend. Now there's just one more hurdle remaining between the U.S. and its first WBC title since 2017. Here’s what you need to know about the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship game.
Who will Team USA play in the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship game?
Team USA will face a red-hot Venezuela team on Tuesday in Miami, after Ronald Acuña Jr., Eugenio Suarez and Co. finally put an end to Italy's Cinderella run with a 4-2 victory in their semifinal showdown on Monday night. Italy was on the verge of forcing a rematch with Team USA, taking a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning behind another stellar start from Aaron Nola. But Acuña Jr. tied the game with an infield single before back-to-back two-out hits from Maikel Garcia and Luis Arraez put the Venezuelans ahead for good.
Team Venezuela wasn't considered a title favorite heading into the tournament, but don't be mistaken: There's MLB talent up and down this roster, and they're more than capable of beating anybody on any given day. Just ask Japan, as the reigning WBC champs saw their repeat bid ended in the quarterfinals thanks to a three-run homer (and instantly iconic bat flip) from Wilyer Abreu.
WILYER ABREU GO-AHEAD 3-RUN BOMBpic.twitter.com/Huwmju9fL5
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) March 15, 2026
Venezuela's lineup comes at you in waves. Acuña Jr. is the tip of the spear, finally looking like his old self after two years spent battling a variety of injuries. And even if you get past him, there are proven big-leaguers like Abreu, Garcia, Jackson Chourio, William and Willson Contreras, Eugenio Suarez, Salvador Perez and Gleyber Torres waiting in the wings.
Pitching is a bit more of a question mark, especially after Ranger Suarez threw against Japan. Still, Team USA is going to need to be at its best if it wants to take home the trophy.
Has Team USA won the World Baseball Classic before?
Yes, Team USA won the 2017 World Baseball Classic, defeating Puerto Rico in the championship game. Notable names on Team USA included San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey, then-Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and then-Miami Marlins outfielders Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton. However, the star proved to be Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones, who hit two homers and made an incredible home-run saving catch in a second-round victory over the Dominican Republic.
More recently, Team USA lost to Team Japan in the 2023 WBC title game. Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout headlined a stacked Team USA squad, and he’s one of several players we eventually expect to see in the Hall of Fame. Arenado, Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts are among the other potential Hall of Famers from the 2023 Team USA roster.
When is the 2026 World Baseball Classic championship game?
- Matchup: Team USA vs. Team Venezuela
- First pitch: 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 17
- Location: loanDepot Park, Miami
- Channel: FOX