WBSC Men's Softball World Cup: Hong Kong, China announced as wild card entry, to play in Group B in Prince Albert
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) today announced that world No. 24 Hong Kong, China has been awarded a wild card for the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup, which is slated to open this summer in Mexico, Canada and USA.
Hong Kong, China - which finished fourth in the Asian Qualifier - will participate in Group B, to be played in Prince Albert, Canada, from 10 to 14 July. The Asian squad will face hosts and world No. 3 Canada, No. 8 New Zealand, No. 11 Singapore, one team from Africa and one team coming from the Americas Qualifier.
With the wild card, Hong Kong, China becomes the fourth Asian squad in the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup, along with world No. 2 Japan, Singapore and No. 14 the Philippines.
A total of 11 teams out of 18 have been confirmed for the group stage:
- Africa (2) TBD
- Americas (5) TBD
- 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) No. 24 Hong Kong, China
The 18 teams will participate across three groups in the first phase of the World Cup. Group A will be hosted in Hermosillo, Mexico (12-16 June); while Group C will be played in Oklahoma City, USA (17-21 September).
The final composition of the groups will be announced after the completion of the two remaining continental qualifiers. The African Qualifier will take place in South Africa from 29 February to 2 March, and the Americas Qualifier is scheduled to be played in Sincelejo, Colombia, between 7 and 14 April.
The upcoming Men's Softball World Cup will represent Hong Kong, China's sixth participation in the competition, and their return to the World Cup after seven years. Their best position ever has been a 10th place finish in 1972, when they made their debut in the World Cup played in the Philippines. Since then, they finished 15th in Saskatoon 1988 and Christchurch 2004; and 14th in Manila 1992 and Whitehorse 2017, their last appearance in the competition.
