Acuña Leads Venezuela to World Baseball Classic Championship Game

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. helps power Venezuela to its first-ever WBC final appearance.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:20am

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Ronald Acuña Jr., the star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, has helped lead Venezuela to the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Acuña, who missed the Braves' 2021 World Series victory due to a torn ACL, is relishing the opportunity to represent his home country on the international stage. He has been a driving force for Venezuela, including tying a crucial game against Italy with an infield single and scoring the go-ahead run. Venezuela will now face the United States, who knocked them out of the previous WBC tournament, giving Acuña and his teammates a chance at revenge.

Why it matters

Acuña's performance in the WBC is significant because it allows him to make up for missing the Braves' 2021 World Series triumph due to injury. Playing for Venezuela also holds deep personal meaning for Acuña, who says he is more mature as both a person and player after overcoming his injury setback. Venezuela reaching the WBC final for the first time is a major accomplishment for the baseball-loving country.

The details

In Venezuela's 4-2 victory over Italy, Acuña beat out an infield single to tie the game in the seventh inning before his cousin and teammate Maikel Garcia drove in the go-ahead run. Acuña has also displayed his trademark speed on the basepaths, stealing bases despite initially thinking he would not do so as much following his injury. The matchup with the United States in the final is particularly meaningful, as Venezuela held a lead over the U.S. in the 2023 WBC before a late comeback sent the Americans through.

  • Acuña missed the Atlanta Braves' 2021 World Series championship run due to a torn ACL.
  • Venezuela reached the World Baseball Classic final for the first time in the tournament's 20-year history.

The players

Ronald Acuña Jr.

A star outfielder for the Atlanta Braves who is representing Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, helping the team reach its first-ever championship game in the tournament.

Maikel Garcia

Acuña's cousin and teammate on the Venezuelan national team, who drove in the go-ahead run in their semifinal victory over Italy.

Trea Turner

The American star who hit a game-changing grand slam to eliminate Venezuela from the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

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What they’re saying

“When we went to the World Series, I wasn't there. Thank God I'm living this great moment in my career.”

— Ronald Acuña Jr. (mlb.com)

“I am very happy with everything that happened to me, including the injuries. I'm more mature as a person, I'm more mature as a player. So I'm more experienced right now.”

— Ronald Acuña Jr. (mlb.com)

“I love the Atlanta Braves, but before playing for the Braves, I was born in Venezuela. I would put this as number one in my career. I am very happy for representing my country.”

— Ronald Acuña Jr. (mlb.com)

What’s next

Venezuela will face the United States in the championship game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic on March 18.

The takeaway

Ronald Acuña Jr.'s performance in leading Venezuela to its first-ever World Baseball Classic final is a redemptive moment for the star outfielder, who missed the Atlanta Braves' 2021 World Series triumph due to injury. Acuña's pride in representing his home country underscores the deeper meaning of international competition for many players.