Dominican Republic, Venezuela “proud” to become first teams across all sports to qualify for LA28 Olympic Games
World No. 5 Venezuela and No. 12 Dominican Republic have made history by becoming the first teams - across all sports on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme - to secure qualification, following their advancement to the semifinals of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
With 36 sports and 51 disciplines - including baseball/softball - on the LA28 Olympic Games sports programme, baseball had the honour to be the first to qualify a team** (or individual) through competition - the World Baseball Classic, which finishes on Tuesday with the final between USA and Venezuela.
** As hosts, the USA baseball team had already claimed one of the six spots in the LA28 baseball competiton, which will take place at the iconic Dodger Stadium from 13-19 July, 2028.
Dominican Republic
Two-time world champions the Dominican Republic clinched the first ticket to LA28 in emphatic fashion, defeating world No. 4 Korea 10–0 in the quarterfinals.
“The atmosphere was definitely the most electric game that I’ve ever been a part of,” said Seattle Mariners superstar Julio Rodríguez. “I’ve experienced intense MLB playoff atmospheres, but the way Dominican fans show up is completely different.”
Rodríguez, who helped the Dominican Republic secure bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, remarked on the emotional significance of representing his country on the Olympic stage.
“Being able to win a medal for the country … it means the world to me," he said. "This is for my country, this is for my town, this is for the people in my neighbourhood, it's for everybody in the Dominican Republic."
Manager Albert Pujols, a former MLB superstar who never had the chance to represent the Dominican Republic in the Olympics, echoed that pride, highlighting the responsibility that comes with wearing the national jersey: “Representing our country is a privilege and a responsibility we carry with great pride.”
The Dominican Republic, who also finished sixth at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, will now look to build on its Tokyo 2020 bronze-medal success where they beat Korea in the bronze-medal game against Korea, 10-6.
Dominican Baseball Federation President Juan Núñez Nepomuceno welcomed the early qualification:
"Qualifying for the LA 2028 Olympics after earning bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Games is a huge honour," he said. "I'm positive everybody in the Dominican Republic shares my feelings."
Núñez added: "We are delighted. We had a strong desire to qualify early. Being the first to qualify will allow us to prepare the best way possible and enhance our chances to win another Olympic medal."
The Dominican Republic's run in the 2026 World Baseball Classic ended with a 2-1 loss in the semifinal against USA. The way they played the tournament, not only attracted a lot of attention from fans and media around the world, but also from the country's President Luis Abinader.
"Our National Team gave it their all on the field," President Abinader said. "Beyond the result, they have represented our country with pride. Thank you for such dedication."
Venezuela
Three-time world champions Venezuela secured the second qualification spot with a landmark victory over defending world champions and world No. 1 Japan in the quarterfinals - marking a historic milestone for the nation.
“For Venezuela, this is historic,” said manager Omar López. “We have never played Olympic baseball before - this will be our first time. That says everything.”
Lopez added: "When it's about my country… my country comes first."
The Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. commented: "Wearing a jersey with Venezuela stamped on my chest is what fills me with pride. It is something special for my teammates and me. We want to make Venezuela proud of us."
According to the Venezuelan Ministry of Sports, men's baseball will be the fifth Olympic team sport for the nation at the LA28 Olympics, along with football, basketball, women's softball and volleyball.
Road to LA28 continues
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will feature 36 sports with approximately 351 medal events on the official programme. This figure makes LA28 the largest Olympic sports programme in history, expanding from the 33 sports at Tokyo 2020 where baseball/softball also featured.
Baseball/Softball, one of the five sports added by the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Committee, includes two disciplines - Men's Baseball and Women's Softball.
The Dominican Republic, Venezuela and the host nation, USA, will represent the Americas at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The qualification pathway for the remain three spots in the six-team competition continues with:
- WBSC Premier12 (November 2027): Two spots available (Asia and Europe/Oceania)
- Final Qualification Event (early 2028): Remaining place to be decided among teams from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania
The Women's Softball qualification process will also offer five tickets to the LA28 Olympics across three tournaments:
- WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals (April 2027): The winner qualifies for LA28
- Three continental qualification events (2027): The winner of the Asia/Oceania, Europe/Africa and the Americas continental tournaments books their spot
- Final qualification tournament (early 2028). Includes the runner up and third placed teams from the three continental tournaments
Like baseball, USA has also qualified as the host nation for the softball tournament.
LA28 Tickets
There is one day left to register for a chance to secure a spot in the first LA28 Ticket Draw* ahead of tickets for all Olympic sports going on sale in early April.
Since the LA28 Ticket Draw registration opened in January, more than five million fans from 197 countries and territories have registered, reflecting strong global demand to experience the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games in person.
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