Plenty to still celebrate for non-Super Round teams at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025

The WBSC U-18 Baeball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS showcased the best young baseball talent in the world, delivering 50 high-level games and ending with USA winning the championship in an edition where no team went unbeaten.

Usually, the focus is on the top teams, but those finishing from seventh to 12th also had something to celebrate:

Cuba – 7th place
Cuba may no longer be the powerhouse it once was, but their final record (5-3) shows they were better than their ranking suggests. They ended up in the Placement Round because they couldn’t score against the strongest teams: zero runs against Japan, Puerto Rico, and Korea. On the other hand, they only allowed seven runs in those three games, which means the pitching is still there. Their collective 1.06 ERA and opponents’ .192 batting average prove that pitching remains a stronghold for Cuba.

Australia – 8th place
Australia used to be a regular in the Super Round, but this marks their third straight U-18 World Cup without making it. The Aussies were the opposite of Cuba — they had the best batting average in the tournament but struggled on the mound. They were just one key win away from the Super Round, and the bats will surely be there for their next run.

Italy – 9th place
Italy also struggled on the pitching side, finishing with a team ERA of 3.90, but their game against Japan was probably their best takeaway. In a packed stadium, facing the hosts, defending champions, and one of the title favourites, Italy delivered a fantastic performance with solid pitching and extraordinary defence. They showed they can compete with strong teams, and if they can do it consistently, the story may change.

Germany – 10th place
One of the best stories of the tournament. Germany missed the Super Round after a tough battle against powerhouse and eventual bronze medalists Chinese Taipei. The biggest positive for the Europeans is that they proved they can compete with top teams and handle the pressure of big moments. A well-balanced squad that was truly fun to watch.

China – 11th place
The next U-18 World Cup hosts left Japan with one win in their bag — a very encouraging result for a developing programme. A victory over South Africa and a narrow loss to Italy showed that China is ready to keep growing and competing at the world stage.

South Africa – 12th place
South Africa closed their campaign on a high note with a win against Germany in their final game. Their two contests against European teams - a tight loss to Italy and the victory over Germany - were their best moments of the tournament.