WILLEMSTAD – The baseball team of the Kingdom of the Netherlands ended its campaign at the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a 6–2 defeat against Israel in Miami, finishing fourth in its group.
The final group-stage game took place at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. Israel secured the victory after a decisive five-run sixth inning, sealing the 6–2 result and finishing the tournament with a 2–2 record, while the Netherlands ended with a 1–3 record.
The Kingdom team, which includes several players from Curaçao and other Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, had already been eliminated from quarterfinal contention before the final game. Earlier in the tournament, the team lost to Venezuela (6–2) and the Dominican Republic (12–1) but managed to secure one victory with a dramatic 4–3 win over Nicaragua.
Because only the top two teams in each group advance to the knockout stage, the defeats meant the Netherlands could no longer qualify for the quarterfinals. Venezuela and the Dominican Republic advanced from Pool D, while Israel finished third and Nicaragua ended the group in last place.
Despite the disappointing outcome, the Kingdom team is expected to participate again in the next edition of the World Baseball Classic. The tournament remains one of the most prestigious international baseball events, bringing together top professional players from Major League Baseball and leagues around the world.
Manager Andruw Jones has indicated he is willing to continue as head coach of the Kingdom team following the tournament, signaling his intention to help rebuild the squad for future international competitions.