Following a 6-0 win against Chinese Taipei in the WBC Qualifiers, Nicaragua is headed to the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Mission accomplished for Team Nicaragua! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/ZtXdmIEFxk
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 23, 2025
The team went 3-0 in the Taipei Dome this weekend and cruised their way into arguably baseball’s biggest international event.
Before the win over Chinese Taipei, Nicaragua got back-to-back extra inning walk-off wins against South Africa and Spain. These walk-off hits came from Ronald Rivera against South Africa and Benjamin Alegria against Spain. Both of the games ended with a 2-1 final score.
Their pitching was also exceptional for the Nicaraguan staff all weekend as they outscored their opponents 10-2 throughout the three games in Taipei.
Nicaragua qualified for the last World Baseball Classic in 2023 and played in Pool D alongside Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Israel. They finished last in that group and went 0-4 while scoring just four runs total in the entire tournament.
Despite this performance putting their qualification at risk, Nicaragua is headed back to the World Baseball Classic in 2026.
Baseball fans will await the winner between Chinese Taipei and Spain on Tuesday at 6 a.m. EST. to see who will get the second qualifying spot.
Spain upset Chinese Taipei the first time the two teams met. They beat them 12-5 back on Feb. 21.
Where to watch:
All games can be streamed on the World Baseball Classic website as well as the World Baseball Classic’s YouTube channel and Facebook Page. Additionally, games can be watched on MLB.TV.
WBN Nicaragua: https://worldbaseball.com/category/nicaragua/
Photo Credit: Team Nicaragua celebrates after winning the World Baseball Classic qualifying game against Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
