“I’m still pissed about this,” Judge admitted, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, reflecting the raw emotions inside the clubhouse as players grappled with the outcome and the end of their WBC run.

Despite their struggles, Team USA showed flashes of competitiveness, though they recorded just three hits against Venezuela’s pitching staff and went 14 innings without a runner in scoring position.

Judge reflects on Team USA’s WBC campaign

“We came here, all of us put on this uniform, signed up to go out there and get a gold medal, and we fell short of that,” Judge said, highlighting the team’s high expectations and commitment, a sentiment consistent with his earlier comments about how World Baseball Classic crowds top the World Series.

The postgame scene underscored the emotional toll, as players stood silently watching Venezuela celebrate its first WBC title while processing their own disappointment.

Emotional intensity and fan support

Judge also praised the fans’ energy, describing the atmosphere as electric from the first pitch to the last. Even with that excitement, the disappointment of the loss lingered, and Judge made it clear that the frustration inside the clubhouse remained long after the final out.

David Bednar, Paul Goldschmidt, Kyle Schwarber, Will Smith, and Bobby Witt Jr. are the five players on the 2026 roster who were also part of Team USA‘s squad in 2023. After the Stars and Stripes fell at loanDepot park once again, those five players relived the heartbreak from 2023.

Once again, the Americans suffered a crushing defeat in Little Havana. Three years ago, it was Japan that walked away victorious. Now, Venezuela has captured its first World Baseball Classic title, while Team USA matched Puerto Rico’s total of two runner-up finishes. The Americans now hold a 1–2 record in World Baseball Classic finals.

When is the next World Baseball Classic?

Team USA will have its shot at redemption in 2030, as that’s when the next World Baseball Classic will be. Four years from now, Venezuela will have to defend its world champions crown. For the time being, though, the Venezuelans get to celebrate a historic conquest in Miami.

However, Venezuela and Team USA may run into each other again before 2030. In 2028, baseball will return to the Summer Olympics for the first time since 2020. Thus, both Venezuela and the U.S. could be in for a case of déjà vu, as they compete in a tournament where Japan enters as the reigning champion on American soil.

Updated World Baseball Classic winners

Now, the stage is set for an instant classic. Team USA—making its third straight appearance in the WBC final—is considered the favorite thanks to its home-field advantage and a star-studded roster. However, Venezuela won’t be alone, with thousands of fans expected to fill the stands at loanDepot park.

Both teams are 4-1 so far in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, meaning each side knows what it feels like to be on the losing end in the tournament. However, neither is expecting to lose in the final. This one is for all the marbles, and both sides plan to walk out of Little Havana crowned world champions.

What happens if Team USA loses against Venezuela?

If Team USA loses against Venezuela, then the Americans will have to settle for the silver medal in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Moreover, it’d be the second straight runner-up finish for the Stars and Stripes. Team USA lost to Japan in the 2023 WBC final, and is now eyeing redemption.

With a win over Team USA, Venezuela would secure its first World Baseball Classic championship. Regardless of the final score, Venezuela will record its best finish in WBC history, as its previous best was a third-place in 2009.

What happens if Team USA wins in 2026 WBC final?

If the Americans prevail over the Venezuelans, then the Stars and Stripes will be crowned champions of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. It’d be the country’s second WBC championship and first since 2017. Team USA will have to slay its ghosts from the past, though, as it lost to Japan in 2023 at the same ballpark it will take on Venezuela.

What happens if Team USA and Venezuela tie?

If both sides are still tied by the end of the ninth inning, then the 2026 World Baseball Classic final will head to extra innings. According to official WBC rules, the team at bat in extra innings will start with a runner on second base. Extra innings will continue until a winner is decided.

After a coin flip decided the home team for the Team USA vs. Venezuela matchup in the 2026 WBC final, attention now shifts to the pitching matchup that will set the tone for the championship.

Rodriguez brings a decade of MLB experience, with stops at the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he’s played since 2023. Last season, he posted a 5.02 ERA over 29 games and 154.1 innings, striking out 143 batters. However, his lone start in this year’s WBC didn’t go as planned, allowing three runs in just 2.2 innings against the Dominican Republic during pool play.

Team USA’s starting pitcher in the WBC Final

For Team USA, rookie Nolan McLean will take the mound. While his season with the New York Mets has impressed, McLean faced challenges earlier in the tournament, giving up two home runs against Italy in the pool stages.

“Obviously I got clipped there a couple times with the homer… but overall, I felt really good. As a competitor, if you work your whole life at something, you want to be put in these spots. It’s just kind of a dream come true to be able to get the ball in such a big moment, and it’s something I want to do,” McLean said ahead of the final according to MLB.com.

Experience vs. youth shapes the matchup

Venezuela leans on Rodriguez’s experience to navigate pressure-filled innings, while Team USA trusts McLean’s competitiveness and potential to rise to the occasion. The contrasting approaches—veteran stability versus rookie energy—could ultimately determine who claims the 2026 World Baseball Classic title.

Team Italy has become the dark horse of the tournament after finishing pool play with a perfect 4–0 record following victories over Team USA, Mexico, Great Britain, and Brazil. Then, in the quarterfinals, the Italians eliminated Puerto Rico with an 8-6 win.

Now, in the semifinals, Venezuela will send Keider Montero to the mound, while the Italian squad will try to keep the impressive run going with Aaron Nola as the starting pitcher.

What happens if Team Venezuela loses today vs Italy in 2026 WBC?

If Team Venezuela loses against Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinals, elimination from the tournament will be confirmed. After an impressive run, there would be no second opportunity for the Venezuelan squad.

What happens if Team Venezuela wins over Italy in WBC?

If Team Venezuela defeats Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic semifinals, a spot in the tournament final will be secured. The opponent on Tuesday will be Team USA after an epic victory over the Dominican Republic.

Going through the locker room greeting his teammates, Acuña screamed, “we ate Sushi!” twice. Venezuela were the underdogs against a Japan team with the likes of Shohei Ohtani. Still, they were brave and deliver incredible moments throughout the whole game.

Whether it was Acuña himself doing MVP things, or outfielder Wilyer Abreu batting a three-run homer to the upper deck of the LoanDepot Park, Venezuela were just feeling it and Japan got overwhelmed.

Venezuela’s path to the semis

Venezuela ended second in Pool D with a 3-1 record. They beat Israel, Netherlands, and Nicaragua, but lost to WBC contender Dominican Republic 7-5. That meant they had to face with Japan, the reigning champions in the quarterfinals. As we now know, Venezuela pulled the 8-5 upset.

Now, Venezuela have to face the Cinderella story of the tournament, undefeated Italy, who have won every game played so far, including Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, United States, and Puerto Rico. Italy’s batting has been unstoppable so far, so Venezuela have a handful of problems if they want to progress through to the final.

The WBC has been incredible so far

From the rating numbers to the level of play, the 2026 World Baseball Classic has been a sight to see. Upsets, Cinderella stories, MLB’s biggest stars going to battle one another, and electric atmospheres have surrounded the whole tournament.

Now, only four remain. The United States will play the Dominican Republic in the first semis, while Italy and Venezuela will vow to be a finalist. This is must-watch baseball in the middle of March.

Team Venezuela also arrives in strong form after posting a 3-1 record in the group stage. However, the Venezuelan squad could not secure the top spot in Pool D after falling to the Dominican Republic in the final game of the first round.

Now, Japan and Venezuela will meet in Miami for a highly anticipated matchup with a place in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic on the line. An early blockbuster duel between two contenders.

What happens if Team Japan loses vs Venezuela in 2026 WBC?

If Japan and Shohei Ohtani lose to Venezuela, their run in the 2026 World Baseball Classic will come to an end. The quarterfinals are played under a single-elimination format, meaning the losing team is immediately eliminated while the winner advances to the semifinals.

What happens if Team Japan wins vs Venezuela?

If Team Japan defeats Venezuela, a spot in the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic would be guaranteed. Ohtani’s squad will face the winner of Italy vs Puerto Rico for a place in the final.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s return plan after his WBC start. However, that plan has since changed, allowing Yamamoto to stay with Team Japan as long as the club remains in contention.

According to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Yamamoto will remain with the team throughout the playoffs. The right-hander is expected to continue supporting Japan’s bid to defend its WBC title even after making his scheduled start against Venezuela.

Yamamoto played key role in Japan’s strong group stage

Yamamoto made one appearance during the group stage against Chinese Taipei, pitching 2⅔ hitless innings while striking out two batters. His outing helped set the tone for a dominant performance by the defending champions.

Japan entered the knockout stage with strong momentum after going 4–0 in pool play, securing the top seed in its group. Japan will now face a Venezuela lineup filled with major league talent

The clash at loanDepot park in Miami will determine which team finishes first in Pool D. Beyond standings, the game also carries pride between two Caribbean baseball powers loaded with MLB stars.

Players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuña Jr. helped their teams remain perfect through the first round, setting the stage for a high-profile showdown to close the group stage. Recently, Acuña Jr. encouraged Venezuela to stay composed heading into its WBC matchup with the Dominican Republic.

What happens if Dominican Republic win vs Venezuela?

If the Dominican Republic win, they will finish first in Pool D and advance to the quarterfinals as the group winner. That result would set up a matchup against South Korea, the runner-up from Pool C, in Miami.

Finishing first is important because it avoids an early clash with tournament favorite Japan, giving the Dominican team what many consider a more favorable path deeper into the bracket.

What happens if Dominican Republic lose vs Venezuela?

If the Dominican Republic lose, they will still advance to the quarterfinals but as the Pool D runner-up. In that case, the team would face Japan, the Pool C winner and defending World Baseball Classic champion.

That matchup would be significantly tougher, as Japan are widely considered one of the strongest teams in the tournament and are led by superstar Shohei Ohtani.

So while both teams are already qualified for the knockout stage, the result of the game will determine whether the Dominican Republic face South Korea or Japan in the next round.

[Watch Canada vs Venezuela online in the US on Fubo]

As co-hosts of the upcoming World Cup, Canada won’t be involved in the qualifying grind, giving the squad a valuable stretch to build chemistry through a heavy slate of friendlies—another one coming against a tough CONMEBOL opponent.

After a scoreless draw with Ecuador, the Canadians are pushing for a statement win, while Venezuela arrives hungry to sharpen its own group following a near-breakthrough run in the last qualifying cycle as it continues laying the groundwork for a long-awaited World Cup debut.

When will the Canada vs Venezuela match be played?

Canada face Venezuela in a 2025 international friendly game this Tuesday, November 18, with the match kicking off at 8:30 PM (ET).

Canada vs Venezuela: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:30 PM
CT: 7:30 PM
MT: 6:30 PM
PT: 5:30 PM

How to watch Canada vs Venezuela in the USA

This International Friendly clash between Canada and Venezuela will be available for viewers in the USA on Fubo. Other options: FS1, DirecTV Stream and Sling Blue.

[Watch Venezuela vs Australia online in the US on Fanatiz PPV]

An intriguing international matchup awaits as Venezuela and Australia square off in a highly anticipated clash between AFC and CONMEBOL teams. Venezuela, fresh off a near miss at reaching the intercontinental playoffs for the first time in their history, is determined to enters a new phase of development.

Australia, already booked for next year’s World Cup, is looking to maximize these tune-up games to solidify its lineup and maintain form ahead of the global stage. Fans can expect a spirited contest between two ambitious squads aiming to make every minute count.

When will the Venezuela vs Australia match be played?

Venezuela take on Australia in a 2025 international friendly game this Friday, November 14, with the match kicking off at 9:00 PM (ET).

Venezuela vs Australia: Time by State in the USA

ET: 9:00 PM
CT: 8:00 PM
MT: 7:00 PM
PT: 6:00 PM

How to watch Venezuela vs Australia in the USA

This International Friendly clash between Venezuela and Australia will be available for viewers in the USA on Fanatiz PPV.