Italy's Improbable World Baseball Classic Run Ends, But Azzurri Leave Lasting Impact at Home

Italy's surprise semifinal appearance at the 2026 World Baseball Classic captivated fans back home, setting the stage for future growth of the sport.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 7:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Italy's remarkable run at the 2026 World Baseball Classic came to an end with a 4-2 semifinal loss to Venezuela, but the Azzurri's performance left a lasting impact in the soccer-crazed country. Despite being eliminated, Italy manager Francisco Cervelli believes the team has revolutionized baseball in Italy and will be taken seriously at the next WBC. The young Italian roster, made up mostly of minor leaguers, stunned with a 5-0 start and provided exciting moments throughout the tournament, drawing record viewership in Italy.

Why it matters

Italy's surprising success at the World Baseball Classic has the potential to significantly boost the popularity of baseball in the country, which has traditionally been dominated by soccer. The tournament run showcased the talent and passion of the Italian players, many of whom are Italian-Americans, and has set the stage for more Italians from Italy itself to get involved in the sport in the future.

The details

Italy blew a 7th-inning lead in the semifinal loss to Venezuela, but the team's celebrations and overall performance throughout the tournament captivated fans. Players spoke of providing an exciting foundation for future growth and success, with captain Vinnie Pasquantino hoping to see more Italian-born players represent the national team in the years to come.

  • Italy's remarkable 2026 World Baseball Classic run ended on March 16, 2026 with a 4-2 semifinal loss to Venezuela.
  • The tournament run began with a surprising 5-0 start for Italy.

The players

Francisco Cervelli

The manager of the Italian national baseball team, who believes Italy will no longer be overlooked at future World Baseball Classics.

Jakob Marsee

The Italian center fielder who is entering his second season with the Miami Marlins and played in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd at the WBC.

Vinnie Pasquantino

The captain of the Italian national team, who hopes to see more Italian-born players represent the team in the future.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We are no longer the Cinderella. In three years they are going to take us seriously. We have a group of young players that are going to participate in the next classic. What they experienced today, they are going to take it away for the rest of their lives.”

— Francisco Cervelli, Italy Manager

“To play in front of all these crowds and just how loud they were in these games, no one thought we could win, and being able to do it with all the guys was a lot of fun.”

— Jakob Marsee, Italy Center Fielder

“We just wanted to make sure we waved and thanked, one, the Venezuelan fans who were here tonight, and the Italian fans that were here, because that atmosphere was incredible.”

— Vinnie Pasquantino, Italy Captain

What’s next

The expectation is that Italy's young roster will return to the next World Baseball Classic more experienced and with the goal of continuing to grow the sport's popularity in the country.

The takeaway

Italy's surprising success at the 2026 World Baseball Classic has the potential to be a watershed moment for the sport in the soccer-crazed country, captivating fans back home and setting the stage for baseball to gain more traction and interest in the years to come.