USA is playing against Venezuela on Mar 18, 2026 at 12:00:00 AM UTC. World Baseball Classic live score: USA vs. Venezuela updates, highlights, results from 2026 WBC championship. The 2026 World Baseball Classic comes to a close on Tuesday night. It promises to enchant before disappearing into the night sky.
The United States entered the WBC as tournament favorites. Its roster resembled an All-Star Game lineup, with Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. spearheading an impressive collection of talent. The Americans have suffered their fair share of foibles during their run, falling to Italy in their final pool stage game and only advancing to the final after a handful of curious ball-strike calls.
Still, with Judge and Witt leading the way -- along with the world's finest bullpen unit -- it's hard to go against Mark DeRosa's side in the final.
Venezuela — Team USA’s dance partner following its 4-2 win over the Italians on Monday night — has ample potential within its ranks. Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel García, Luis Arraez and Jackson Chourio are some of MLB’s finest players at their respective positions. All have flaunted their gifts during Venezuela’s run to the title game, its first in WBC history.
It’ll be difficult for Tuesday’s matchup to live up to its 2023 predecessor, a love letter to the sport the likes of which has rarely been seen on the diamond. And yet, in front of what figures to be a staunchly pro‑Venezuelan crowd at LoanDepot Park, fireworks are still likely to erupt.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Tuesday’s World Baseball Classic final between Team USA and Venezuela. Follow below for highlights, analysis and more as international baseball’s finest competition ends with a flourish on Tuesday night.
USA vs. Venezuela live updates, highlights from 2026 World Baseball Classic championship
(All times Eastern)
6:00 p.m.: Here's a look at the lineups ahead of tonight's contest. No major changes in this one, save for Salvador Perez coming in for Willson Contreras in Venezuela's backstop and Byron Buxton coming in for Pete Crow-Armstrong for Team USA:
Venezuela:
RF Ronald Acuna Jr.
3B Maikel Garcia
1B Luis Arraez
DH Eugenio Suarez
2B Gleyber Torres
SS Ezequiel Tovar
LF Wilyer Abreu
C Salvador Perez
CF Jackson Chourio
United States:
SS Bobby Witt Jr.
1B Bryce Harper
RF Aaron Judge
DH Kyle Schwarber
3B Alex Bregman
LF Roman Anthony
C Will Smith
2B Brice Turang
CF Byron Buxton
C Salvador
5:30 p.m.: The United States strides into game dressed in USA hockey jerseys, a nod to last month's Winter Olympics. Mark DeRosa's side will be looking for a similar result to the men's and women's hockey sides on Tuesday night. Venezuela promises to be a worthy adversary, however.