WBSC Africa announces dates, venues of Baseball, Softball & Baseball5 World Cup Qualifiers
South Africa will host U-15 and U-23 Baseball World Cup and Men's Softball World Cup qualifiers. Praia, Cape Verde will be the venue for Africa's Baseball5 World Cup qualifier.
Johannesburg (South Africa) will play host to the U-15 Baseball World Cup qualifiers from 11 to 14 January.
The VI WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup is scheduled to take place later in 2024. Dates and venues will be announced soon. The winner of the tournament in Johannesburg will be sixth qualified National Team.
Johannesburg will host the U-23 Baseball World Cup qualifier from 21 to 27 February. The winner will complete the set of 12 participating National Teams, which will participate in the V WBSC U-23 Baseball Cup, which will be held in Shaoxing Baseball & Softball Sports Culture Center from 6 to 15 September next year.
World No. 1 Japan are the defending U-23 World Champions.
The South African Baseball Union (SABU) will host and organize the U-15 and U-23 Baseball World Cup Qualifiers.
Softball World Cup Qualifier
Mokopane, Waterberg District, Limpopo in South Africa, will host the Men's Softball World Cup Qualifier from 26 February to 3 March.
The XVIII WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup will be the first edition to be played under the Two-Stage format, a new format with the Group Stage and the Finals hosted in consecutive years. An expanded number of 18 teams will participate across three groups in the Group Stage, with the top two from each group plus two wild cards advancing to the Finals.
Prince Albert, Canada, will host one group and the Finals. Oklahoma City, USA, will host another group. The third group host city will be announced at a later stage.
The XVIII WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup now has 12 qualified teams. As hosts, world No. 4 Canada and No. 5 USA have been granted a spot in the Group Stage. In addition, No. 6 Czechia, No. 11 Denmark and No. 16 Netherlands qualified through the European Championship, while No. 3 Japan, No. 12 Singapore and No. 15 Philippines advanced from the Asian Qualifier. Meanwhile, defending champions and world No. 2 Australia and No. 7 New Zealand qualified via the Oceania Qualifier.
Australia are the defending Men's Softball World Champions.
Baseball5 World Cup Qualifier
Adding a unique and dynamic flavour to the Africa season calendar, the Baseball5 World Cup qualifiers are set to take place in Praia, Cape Verde from 5 to 10 February. The top two finishers will become the third and fourth National Teams qualified for the II WBSC Baseball5 World Cup, to be played in Hong Kong in late 2024.
The Cape Verde Baseball Softball Federation became a WBSC Full Member in December 2020. The National Olympic Committee announced its support for Baseball5 development in April 2022.
"A Festival of Sportmanship"
"The 2024 WBSC Africa World Cup qualifiers promise a festival of sportsmanship, skill, and excitement," WBSC Africa said in a press release. "With diverse events spanning different age groups and playing formats, the qualifiers are set to elevate the profile of baseball and softball in Africa, reflecting the continent's growing influence on the global stage. As fans eagerly await the kick-off, one thing is certain – the road to the World Cup is paved with passion, determination, and the unbridled spirit of competition."
