(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
WBSC Men’s Baseball World Ranking Update: Premier12 2027 Qualification Race Heats Up
The countdown to the WBSC Premier12 2027 is on, with less than 100 days left in the year and the latest WBSC Men’s Baseball World Ranking adding fresh intensity to the qualification battle.
Starting in 2027, the prestigious tournament will expand to feature 16 teams. The top 12 programmes in the world rankings at the end of 2025 will secure a direct ticket to the Premier12. Meanwhile, teams ranked 13th to 18th, along with two Wild Cards, will compete in the Premier12 Qualifiers for the final four spots.
Key Ranking Movements
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Venezuela and Panama both climbed one position, reaching No. 5 and No. 8 respectively.
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Cuba made the biggest leap, rising back into the top 10 at No. 9, overtaking the Netherlands (No. 10), Australia (No. 11) and the Dominican Republic (No. 12).
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The Dominican Republic currently holds the last direct qualification spot, but Colombia sits close behind at No. 13, just 327 points adrift.
The Battle for Qualifier Spots
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Italy (No. 14), Czechia (No. 15) and Nicaragua (No. 16) remain in safe qualifier positions.
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The fight for the final qualifier berth is wide open:
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Great Britain (No. 17, 1,062 points)
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Germany (No. 18, 1,029 points)
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China (No. 19, 979 points)
Only 83 points separate the three nations, making the closing months of 2025 crucial.
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Context Behind the Shift
This update also reflects the expiration of points from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games (held in the rankings for four years) and the inclusion of results from the recently concluded WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 in Okinawa, Japan, which replaced the 2022 edition.
Road to Premier12 2027
With rankings tightening and nations battling for direct entry or a qualifier spot, the stage is set for a dramatic finish to the year. Fans worldwide can expect thrilling action as baseball’s biggest names fight for their place in the expanded 16-team Premier12.
