As soon as Major League Baseball (MLB) and World Baseball Classic, Inc. (WBCI) released the pools and official schedule for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Dominicans and Venezuelans from all over circled a specific date.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
This coming Wednesday night, Dominican Republic (3-0) and Venezuela (3-0) will face-off in a battle of the unbeatens at loanDepot Park—rounding out the winner of Pool D in Miami, Florida—with the victor meeting Korea in the quarterfinal round while the loser is forced to go up against the defending WBC champion Japan. Both teams, escaping Pool D easily, already have advanced to the quarterfinal round due to their undefeated 3-0 record.
If that’s enough to get sports fans enticed, even though millions around the globe already are, the rivalry between the two baseball-crazed countries will.
Highest ticket prices for upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic–Information via VividSeats, prices not including fees and extra services
- WBC Championship on Tuesday, 3/17 in Miami, FL – $399
- Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela on Wednesday, 3/11 in Miami, FL – $255 – Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela is the only matchup listed from Pool play as No. 1, 3 and 4 are during the WBC knockout stages
- WBC Quarterfinal Round Game with Japan vs. Loser of DR/VZ on Saturday, 3/14 in Miami, FL – $227
- Game 1 of WBC Semifinal on Sunday, 2/15 in Miami, FL – $214
“Baseball is to be enjoyed, and the results depend on what God has reserved for us,” said Venezuela’s Eugenio Suárez of the anticipation and excitement surrounding the matchup vs. Dominican Republic.
“Our mindset is a winning mindset. We are going to get that win, which is going to be very important to us. It’s going to be a very emotional, exciting game. I hope that all the fans that bought tickets will go home happy. Well, some happier than the others because there will be only one winner. But the game is going to say the last word about the importance of the tournament for both teams.”
And to point out, this rivalry is a testament to the determination of Dominican and Venezuelan ballplayers and their willingness to sacrifice whatever it takes with the hope of a better life for their families and loved ones just as much as for themselves.
As of just last season when MLB’s 2025 campaign began, Dominican Republic (100) and Venezuela (63), respectively, led all of baseball in the quantity of internationally-born players appearing on MLB’s Opening Day team rosters.
For the Dominican Republic, this has been the case year on year, leading the annual data since MLB started releasing the information to the public in 1995.
In each of their routes in going 3-0 during Pool D WBC play against Nicaragua, Israel and the Netherlands—Dominican Republic scored 34 total runs on 29 hits, nine of which leaving the yard and 29 walks, while Venezuela tallied 21 runs as a team on 30 hits (five HRs) and 11 free passes.
The WBC Pool D showdown between Dominican Republic and Venezuela will make for absolute cinema Wednesday night in Miami, Florida – Image Credit: World Baseball Classic/Major League Baseball
On the flip side of things across three games, Dominican Republic’s pitching struck out 30 batters and surrendered just five runs on 16 hits and four walks. Venezuela’s arms have recorded 23 Ks over their first three games, allowing five runs on 18 hits and five walks.
Utter domination from both clubhouses to kick off this edition of the World Baseball Classic.
But on Wednesday night in the sixth-ever World Baseball Classic matchup between Dominican Republic and Venezuela, with the D.R. leading the all-time series, 4-1, only one can come out on top.
Who will it be?
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