Cuba Extends Lead in WBSC Baseball5 World Rankings; Syria Makes Historic Debut
October 8, 2025
Cuba has strengthened its dominance at the top of the WBSC Baseball5 World Rankings, extending its lead over Japan following an impressive victory at the WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup Nayarit 2025 in Mexico.
After capturing their second consecutive world title, Cuba boosted their ranking points from 4,527 to 5,827, creating a massive 1,300-point gap over second-placed Japan. The latest update also marks a historic moment as Syria, represented by the WBSC Refugee Team, entered the global rankings for the first time ever.
Cuba Remains the Undisputed Leader
Cuba’s consistent performance and back-to-back world championships have solidified its position as the world’s leading Baseball5 program. The island nation continues to set the standard for excellence in the sport, both in youth and senior competitions.
Japan, who made their Youth Baseball5 World Cup debut this year and finished seventh, maintained their second-place ranking with 4,427 points, up from 3,951.
France, Chinese Taipei, and Tunisia Among Top Contenders
France secured third place with 4,245 points, followed by Chinese Taipei in fourth (4,149 points). Both teams earned valuable points through strong performances in Mexico.
The rest of the top eight remains unchanged, with Tunisia, Mexico, Venezuela, and Lithuania rounding out the list.
Biggest Movers: Puerto Rico and Kenya Climb
The biggest surprise came from Puerto Rico, which jumped 25 places to reach 31st position after competing in their first-ever WBSC Baseball5 World Cup. The team earned 360 points for finishing 11th in Nayarit, bringing their total to 408 points.
Meanwhile, Kenya climbed two spots to ninth place with 2,154 points, and Turkiye moved up three places to 11th with 1,772 points.
Syria Makes Historic Entry into World Rankings
Syria, represented by the WBSC Refugee Team, earned a place in the rankings for the first time with 198 points, debuting at No. 41. This marks a significant milestone for the development of Baseball5 across new regions and communities.
Global Expansion of Baseball5
The latest WBSC Baseball5 World Ranking now includes 65 national programs from all five Olympic continents, reflecting the sport’s rapid global growth and increasing popularity.
The inclusion of new nations like Syria and the rise of developing programs such as Puerto Rico highlight the sport’s expanding reach and the WBSC’s commitment to inclusivity and youth engagement worldwide.
