Men's Softball World Cup groups unveiled; World No. 1 Australia to start title defence in Group A
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced today the groups of the XVIII Men's Softball World Cup, which is scheduled to open this year with the 18-team Group Stage. World champions and world No. 1 Australia will start their title defence in Group A, to be played in Hermosillo, Mexico in June.
A total of 10 national teams have booked their tickets to the World Cup. Besides one wild card, an African Qualifier (two available spots), which will take place in South Africa from 29 February to 2 March, and an Americas Qualifier (five available spots) scheduled to be played in April, will decide the seven remaining participants in the biggest men's softball event in the world. The 10 qualified nations are:
- Asia (3) No. 2 Japan, No. 11 Singapore, No. 14 Philippines
- Europe (2) No. 5 Czechia, No. 17 Netherlands
- Oceania (2) No. 1 Australia, No. 8 New Zealand
- Hosts (3) No. 3 Canada, No. 6 USA, No. 9 Mexico
- Wild Card (1) TBD
The field of teams will be split into three groups to open the tournament.
Mexico will host the Group A, with the participation of the defending World Champions Australia, Czechia, Philippines, and two teams coming from the Americas Qualifier. This group will be held in June in Hermosillo.
Group B is scheduled to be played between 10 and 14 July in Prince Albert, Canada, where the hosts and four-time world champions will compete against New Zealand (winners of seven World Cup titles), and Singapore. One team from the Americas Qualifier, one from the African Qualifier and one wild card (to be announced) will complete the group.
The third and final group will be hosted by USA in Oklahoma City, from 17 to 21 September. The 2022 World Cup bronze medallists and hosts will receive Japan, the Netherlands, two teams coming from the Americas Qualifier and one representative from the African continent.
The final composition of the groups will be announced after the completion of the two remaining continental qualifiers.
A total of 57 games will be played across the Group Stage. Each group will play a 15-game round robin with the top four teams advancing to the Play-Offs. The top two sides will play each other with a ticket to the Finals at stake, while the loser of the first play-off game will then play against the third v fourth winner for the second spot in the Finals.