Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:10am

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Venezuela qualified for the 2028 Olympic baseball tournament by reaching the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. They defeated Japan 8-5 to claim the last Olympic berth for a North or South American nation, joining the U.S. and Dominican Republic as the first three teams qualified for the LA28 Games. The rest of the Olympic baseball field will be determined at the November 2027 Premier12 tournament and a final qualifier in early 2028.

Why it matters

Venezuela has never qualified for the Olympic baseball tournament before, despite producing baseball legends like Luis Aparicio, Miguel Cabrera, and Johan Santana. Their qualification for LA28 marks the first time the country will compete in Olympic baseball, expanding the global reach of the sport.

The details

Venezuela earned their Olympic spot by beating Japan 8-5 in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. They will join the U.S., which qualified automatically as host, and the Dominican Republic, which earned a spot by reaching the WBC semifinals. The remaining Olympic baseball spots will be determined at the Premier12 tournament in November 2027 and a final qualifier in early 2028. Olympic baseball games will be played at Dodger Stadium, with the possibility of MLB players participating for the first time.

Venezuela defeated Japan 8-5 on March 15, 2026 to reach the WBC semifinals.The LA28 Olympic baseball tournament will take place in Los Angeles in 2028.
The players

Salvador Perez

A Venezuelan baseball player who is a 9-time MLB All-Star.

Jose Altuve

A Venezuelan baseball player who is a 9-time MLB All-Star, though he is not playing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“Venezuela boasts 2023 NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and nine-time All-Stars Salvador Perez and Jose Altuve (who is not playing the WBC).”

— Nick Zaccardi (nbcsports.com)

What’s next

The remaining Olympic baseball spots will be determined at the November 2027 Premier12 tournament and a final qualifier in early 2028.

The takeaway

Venezuela’s qualification for the LA28 Olympic baseball tournament marks a historic milestone for the baseball-loving nation, which has never before competed in the Olympic baseball event despite producing numerous MLB superstars. Their inclusion in the LA28 Games will help expand the global reach and popularity of the sport.