(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
WBSC Confirms 16 Teams for Baseball5 World Cup 2026 in Puerto Rico
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has completed the lineup for the Baseball5 World Cup 2026, confirming all 16 participating teams for the tournament set to take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from December 9 to 13.
The final spots were filled with four teams from the Americas region and two wildcard entries, bringing together nations from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the host country for the global event.
Cuba, ranked world No. 1 and two-time defending champion, will lead the Americas alongside Mexico, Argentina, and the United States. Wildcard entries have been awarded to Kenya and South Korea after strong performances in their respective continental competitions.
Other qualified teams include Japan, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, France, Spain, Türkiye, South Africa, Tunisia, Puerto Rico, and Hong Kong, China.
The 2026 edition will feature an expanded format, increasing from 12 to 16 teams for the first time. The decision was made by the WBSC Executive Board in 2024 to support the growth of the mixed-gender sport.
Teams will be divided into four groups in the opening stage. The top two teams from each group will advance to the next round, followed by knockout stages leading to the semifinals and medal matches.
Baseball5, a fast-paced five-on-five version of baseball, continues to grow globally and will also feature in upcoming multi-sport events in 2026, including the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar and the Mediterranean Games.
