We determine the strong coupling constant $alpha_s(M_Z)$ from the static QCD potential by matching a lattice result and a theoretical calculation. We use a new theoretical framework based on operator product expansion (OPE), where renormalons are subtracted from the leading Wilson coefficient. We find that our OPE prediction can explain the lattice data at $Lambda_{rm QCD} r lesssim 0.8$. This allows us to use a larger window in matching, which leads to a more reliable determination. We obtain $alpha_s(M_Z)=0.1179^{+0.0015}_{-0.0014}$.