WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup schedule confirmed, host Argentina to play Mexico on opening day on 15 April
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) revealed today the official schedule of the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup, the maiden edition of this event to be played in Parana, Argentina, from 15 to 23 April. Host and world No. 1 Argentina will open the World Cup on 15 April at 21:00 facing Mexico.
The best players from 12 teams will compete in 50 games for the title of world champion. The teams will start the tournament with a group stage (round-robin):
- Group A: Argentina, Australia, Czechia, Mexico, South Africa, Singapore
- Group B: Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Venezuela, Team WBSC*, Israel
The 30-game Opening Round will finish on 19 April with the top three finishers from each group advancing to the Super Round, while the other six teams will participate in the Placement Round.
The top two teams from the Super Round, to be played 20 to 22 April, will compete for the U-23 Men’s Softball World Champion title, while the number three and four placed teams will play for the bronze medal. The World Championship Final is scheduled on 23 April at 17:00, preceded by the Bronze Medal Game at 14:00.
The first game in the history of the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup will be played by No. 6 Czechia and No. 12 South Africa, on 15 April at 10:30. This will be the first of four games at Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium that day, with Team WBSC taking on No. 3 Japan at 13:30, and No. 2 Canada playing No. 8 Venezuela at 16:30. After the Opening Ceremony, scheduled at 19:30, hosts Argentina will make their debut against Mexico.
On field two, No. 21 Israel will play No. 7 New Zealand at 12:30; and No. 14 Singapore will face No. 4 Australia.
Parana, the capital of Entre Rios province, and the Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium will host their second Softball World Cup. The Junior Men’s Softball World Championship 2012 was played at this venue, with Argentina claiming the first of their three World Titles in any category.
* Since the National Olympic Committee of Guatemala has been suspended by the International Olympic Committee, the Guatemalan athletes cannot represent their country or compete under its flag and name at international sports events. In respect of the athletes’ rights to participate in the World Cup, they will compete at the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup under the WBSC flag.