Mexico to host WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2026 in Merida

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) announced that Merida, the capital of the Yucatan State in Mexico, will be the new host of the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2026 from September 25 to October 4.

The Parque Kukulcán Alamo, home of the Yucatán Leones in the Mexican Baseball League (LMB) which hosted the inaugural Baseball Champions League Americas in Merida in 2023, will be the main venue. The ballpark opened in 1982 and underwent renovation in 2015. It can host approximately 15,000 fans. The second venue is to be confirmed.

Mexico replaces Italy as the host country after the Italian Baseball Softball Federation renounced their rights, having originally being awarded in 2024.

“The WBSC is delighted to bring the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup to Mexico, a country that has consistently demonstrated its ability to host world-class international events,” said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari. “Mérida offers outstanding facilities, experienced organisers, and a vibrant sporting culture that will provide the perfect environment for young athletes to chase their dream 'For The Title of World Champion'. This tournament is a key part of our commitment to growing baseball globally and giving the next generation a world-stage experience they will never forget.”

“Having Mérida as the host of a U-15 World Cup is great news for Mexican baseball," said the Director General of the National Commission for Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE), Rommel Pacheco. "It is a city with experience, infrastructure, and a strong passion for sport. This type of event allows more girls, boys, and young people to get closer to this discipline and to sports in general, to dream big, and to see that in Mexico we have the capacity to host competitions of the highest level.”

The WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup was inaugurated in 2012 in Chihuahua, Mexico, and returned to the country in 2014 (Mazatlán) and 2022 (Hermosillo). It succeeded the WBSC World Youth Baseball Championship, a U-16 competition, which was inaugurated in 1989 and played 13 editions through 2011.

World No. 1 Japan are the defending champions after defeating Puerto Rico in the World Championship Final to win the 2024 edition in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Participating Teams

• World No. 6 Mexico earned the right to participate as the host country
• No. 18 Germany and No. 16 Czechia qualified through the U-15 European Championship
• No. 2 Chinese Taipei and No. 1 Japan qualified through the XII BFA U-15 Asian Championship
• No. 5 Venezuela won the South American Qualifier
• No. 9 Cuba and No. 12 Dominican Republic qualified through the WBSC Americas Caribbean Qualifier
• No. 3 USA and No. 16 Nicaragua qualified through the WBSC Americas Central and North American Qualifier
• No. 11 Australia won the WBSC Oceania Qualifier
• No. 23 South Africa won the WBSC Africa Qualifier