Updated schedule released for WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup following Israel withdrawal due to travel restrictions

The World Baseball Softball Confederation today released an 11-team schedule for the WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup, which will take place in Hermosillo, Mexico from 11-19 November.

World No. 17 Israel was sadly forced to withdraw from the tournament as Israeli authorities currently do not allow their national teams to travel abroad.

The WBSC U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup, a 12-team competition, will proceed as an 11-team official world championship tournament for the current edition:

Americas (4): No. 1 Argentina, No. 4 Canada, No. 5 USA, No. 8 Venezuela
Asia (2): No. 3 Japan, No. 12 Singapore
Europe (1): No. 6 Czechia
Host Nation (1): No. 10 Mexico
Oceania (2): No. 2 Australia, No. 7 New Zealand
Wild Card (1): No. 24 Colombia

Group A: No. 2 Australia, No. 4 Canada, No. 6 Czechia, No. 10 Mexico, No. 12 Singapore and No. 24 Colombia
Group B: No. 1 Argentina, No. 3 Japan, No. 5 USA, No. 7 New Zealand and No. 8 Venezuela

The Opening Round will consist of a total of five games per day with Canada and Czechia officially opening the competition in Game 1 at 12:00 local time on 11 November.

Host Mexico will play Colombia at 8.30 pm local time to close the tournament's opening day.

After group play, the top three finishers from each group will advance to the Super Round, while the others will compete in the Placement Round. The second phase of the tournament will run from 16-18 November.

The top two finishers of the Super Round will compete for the U-18 Men’s Softball World title, while the third- and fourth-place teams play for the bronze medal. The finals are scheduled for Sunday, 19 November.