MIAMI, WILLEMSTAD – The baseball team representing the Kingdom of the Netherlands will begin its campaign in the World Baseball Classic 2026 today with a match against Venezuela in Miami.
The game will be played at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, where thousands of fans are expected to attend. The matchup marks the opening game for the Kingdom team in a challenging Pool D that also includes the Dominican Republic, Israel and Nicaragua. Only the top two teams from the group will advance to the quarterfinals.
Manager Andruw Jones said the team does not enter the tournament as the favorite but remains determined to compete for the title. “We’re here to win,” he said ahead of the opening game. Jones, who was born in Curaçao, is managing the team in the tournament.
The tournament carries a special tribute for the team this year. Players are wearing the number 24 on the left sleeve of their jerseys in honor of former catcher Sidney de Jong, who passed away earlier this year and had been expected to join the team as a coach. His jersey is displayed in the locker room before every game.
The team’s preparation for the tournament has also been marked by the absence of two well-known players. Jonathan Schoop is not part of the squad after being detained earlier this year in Curaçao during an investigation into illegal weapons trading. Meanwhile, Jurickson Profar is unavailable after receiving a suspension following a second positive doping test.
Despite these setbacks, Jones said the team remains focused. According to the manager, the players selected for the roster are experienced professionals capable of handling pressure and staying focused on the competition.
During the team’s final training session in Miami, the atmosphere appeared relaxed. Music played through the stadium while players interacted with fans. Star infielder Xander Bogaerts spent time speaking with reporters about life in the Netherlands and even discussed Dutch foods such as herring and kibbeling.
Bogaerts emphasized that the team believes it can compete against the strong opponents in the group. According to him, the squad’s chemistry and long-standing friendships give it confidence going into the tournament.