Dominican Republic and Venezuela make history as first teams to qualify for LA28 Olympic Baseball

World No. 12 Dominican Republic and No. 5 Venezuela have written a new chapter in international baseball history, becoming the first teams to qualify for the Baseball tournament at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 after advancing to the semifinals at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in Miami, USA.

With USA already qualified for LA28 as hosts, the two highest-placed teams from the Americas at the World Baseball Classic also earned quota places at the Olympic tournament. By advancing to the semifinals - which will see USA play the Dominican Republic on Sunday and Italy take on Venezuela on Monday - the Dominican Republic and Venezuela claimed the two LA28 tickets available to the best teams from the Americas.

The LA28 Games will be the Dominican Republic national baseball team’s third Olympic Games appearance, following Barcelona 1992 and Tokyo 2020. They are one of seven nations to have won an Olympic medal in baseball, claiming bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Games in Yokohama Stadium. The Dominicans defeated Korea, 10-6, in the bronze medal game, earning the country's first-ever medal in a team sport. Outfielder Julio Rodríguez is the sole member of the Tokyo 2020 team participating in the World Baseball Classic. He hit .417 during the Olympic tournament, with one home run, four RBIs and two doubles in six games.

The LA28 Olympic Games will mark Venezuela’s first appearance in Olympic baseball. The three-time world champions missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, falling to the Dominican Republic in the Final Olympic Qualifier in Puebla, Mexico.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic, which culminates on 17 March when the Baseball World Champion is crowned, marks a landmark moment for global sport as the first qualifying event across the entire LA28 Olympic sports programme. By clinching qualification, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have guaranteed their place in the highly anticipated Olympic baseball competition at the celebrated Dodger Stadium from 13–19 July 2028, when baseball makes its highly anticipated Olympic return.

"Congratulations to the Dominican Republic and Venezuela on becoming the first teams to qualify for the Olympic baseball tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games," World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fracarri said. "Their achievement at the 2026 World Baseball Classic is a testament to the exceptional level of international competition and the continued growth of our sport around the world.

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*Securing their place through performance in international competition, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela have earned the opportunity to represent their nations at one of the most famous venues in our sport — Dodger Stadium," President Fraccari added. "We look forward to welcoming them to Los Angeles in 2028 and to witnessing the continued journey towards the Olympic Games - including the WBSC Premier12 - as more teams compete for the remaining places in what promises to be an exciting Road to LA28.”

"The excitement for the LA28 Baseball Tournament is palpable as we prepare to welcome America’s favourite pastime back to the Olympic Games, where it will take centre stage at the iconic Dodger Stadium,” said Shana Ferguson, LA28 Chief of Sport and Games Delivery Officer. “As we celebrate the first teams to secure their Olympic spots at the World Baseball Classic, this moment marks the beginning of a global pursuit — with thousands of athletes around the world now setting their sights on LA28 and beginning their journey for a chance to compete on the Olympic stage.”

With baseball featuring on the Olympic programme for the seventh time and the first since Tokyo 2020, the six-team tournament at LA28 will be defined entirely by performance in international competition. Following the World Baseball Classic, the remaining three Olympic places will be decided through two additional global qualification events, ensuring a truly merit-based pathway to the Games.

Next Qualifier: WBSC Premier12 2027

The Olympic race continues at the WBSC Premier12 2027, which has now expanded to a 16-team format and carrying direct Olympic qualification implications. With the WBSC Premier12 2027 Qualifiers taking place in 2026, the Road to LA28 continues for some countries later this year.

Two places will be awarded at the WBSC Premier12 2027:

• The highest-placed Asian team
• The top team from Europe or Oceania

Asia brings formidable Olympic pedigree, with Japan, Chinese Taipei and Korea all having claimed Olympic medals. China also remains a strong contender in the region.

In Europe and Oceania, traditional powers such as the Netherlands and Australia headline the race, while Italy, Czechia, Germany and Great Britain are also in contention. For Czechia, Germany and Great Britain, qualification would mark a historic Olympic debut.

Final chance for Six National Teams in 2028

A six-team Olympic Qualifying Tournament, to be staged no later than March 2028, will award the sixth and final Olympic berth.

Participants will include:

• The two highest placed (but not yet qualified) teams from the latest edition of the Asia Championship
• The two highest placed (but not yet qualified) teams from the latest edition of the European Championship
• The Africa champion
• The highest placed (but not yet qualified) team from the latest edition of the Oceania Championship

Cover Photos: WBCI/MLB Photos by Getty Images