WBSC unveils groups for U-15 Baseball World Cup in Mexico

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has officially announced the groups for the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup 2026, set to take place in Mérida, Mexico, from 25 September to 4 October.

The world’s top young baseball stars will compete for glory, with reigning world champions and World No. 1 Japan headlining Group A. They will face No. 6 Mexico, No. 10 Cuba, No. 12 Dominican Republic, No. 18 Germany and No. 23 South Africa in what promises to be a highly competitive opening round.

Group B features an equally formidable lineup, including World No. 2 Chinese Taipei, No. 3 USA, No. 5 Venezuela, No. 11 Australia, No. 15 Czechia and No. 16 Nicaragua — setting the stage for thrilling international matchups from day one.

Merida, the vibrant capital of Mexico’s Yucatán State, will welcome the world to one of the country’s premier baseball destinations. The iconic Parque Kukulcán Alamo — home of the Yucatán Leones of the Mexican Baseball League (LMB) — will serve as the main venue. With a seating capacity of approximately 15,000 and a strong tradition of hosting major international events, including the inaugural Baseball Champions League Americas in 2023, the ballpark provides a world-class stage for the tournament. A second venue will be confirmed in due course.

The WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup continues a proud tradition of youth baseball excellence. First launched in 2012 in Chihuahua, Mexico, the tournament has returned to the country on multiple occasions, including Mazatlán (2014) and Hermosillo (2022). It carries forward the legacy of the WBSC World Youth Baseball Championship, originally inaugurated as a U-16 event in 1989 and staged 13 times through 2011.

Japan enters the 2026 edition as defending champions, having captured the 2024 world title in Barranquilla, Colombia, with victory over Puerto Rico in the championship final.