WBSC announces updated schedule for U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup

The revised schedule aims to ensure a more balanced distribution of games between the two venues, while providing greater flexibility to reschedule games in case of weather-related postponements.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has announced an updated schedule for the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup 2026, set to take place from 25 April to 3 May in Sincelejo, Colombia. The revised schedule aims to ensure a more balanced distribution of games between the two venues, while providing greater flexibility to reschedule games in case of weather-related postponements.

The changes include updated game times and venue assignments for selected matchups, while game numbers and dates remain unchanged. Each day will now feature three games at Eduardo Porras Stadium and three at 20 de Enero Stadium. Host nation Colombia will play all its games at 20 de Enero Stadium.

The two groups for the event remain unchanged:

• Group A: No. 1 Japan, No. 3 Argentina, No. 7 New Zealand, No. 9 Czechia, No. 13 Colombia (host), and No. 14 South Africa.
• Group B: No. 2 Venezuela, No. 4 Canada, No. 6 Australia, No. 8 Mexico, No. 10 Singapore, and No. 19 Denmark.

 

The Opening Round will be played from 25 to 29 April, with the top three teams in each group advancing to the Super Round, and the bottom three teams moving to the Placement Round. The Super Round and Placement Round are scheduled from 30 April to 2 May, with the medal games set for 3 May.

The top two teams in the Super Round standings will advance to the World Championship Final, while the third- and fourth-place teams will compete in the Bronze Medal Game.

The schedule and venues for the Super Round, Placement Round and medal games will be announced at a later stage.

Opening Day schedule (25 April):

• 10:00 a.m. – Argentina vs New Zealand – Eduardo Porras Stadium
• 12:00 a.m. – Singapore vs Venezuela – 20 de Enero Stadium
• 1:00 p.m. – Czechia vs Japan – Eduardo Porras Stadium
• 3:00 p.m. – Canada vs Denmark – 20 de Enero Stadium
• 4:00 p.m. – Mexico vs Australia – Eduardo Porras Stadium
• 18:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremony – 20 de Enero Stadium
• 8:00 p.m. – Colombia vs South Africa – 20 de Enero Stadium

Of the 50 games, 36 will be played at 20 de Enero Stadium and 14 at Eduardo Porras Stadium.

The group stage will run from 25 to 29 April, with the top three teams from each group advancing to the Super Round and carrying over their group-stage results. Teams finishing fourth to sixth in each group will compete in the Placement Round.

The Super Round and Placement Round are scheduled from 30 April to 2 May, with the medal games taking place on 3 May. The top two teams in the Super Round will face off in the World Championship Final, while the third- and fourth-place teams will contest the Bronze Medal Game.

This marks the second edition of the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup. The inaugural tournament was held in Paraná, Argentina, in 2023, when Australia defeated Japan in the World Championship Final.