WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup wild card awarded to Asia
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<p>The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Executive Board awarded the final wild card for the XVII <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/organisation/wbsc-events/womens-softball-world-cup"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup</span></strong></a> to the Asian continent. </p>
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<p>With this decision, the Asian continent will have four representatives in the Group Stage of the premier international tournament for women's softball. </p>
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<p>The top three nations in the final standings of the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/womens-softball-asia-cup-2023-schedule-announced-for-womens-softball-world-cup-qualifier"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Women’s Softball Asia Cup</span></strong></a> - to be staged from 2-8 April in Incheon, Korea - will earn a berth in the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup group stage, which starts in July. </p>
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<p>Japan, who finished second, Chinese Taipei (ninth), China (10th) and the Philippines (14th) participated in the last edition of the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2018-womens-softball-world-championship/standings"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup in 2018</span></strong></a>.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/organisation/wbsc-events/womens-softball-world-cup"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup</span></strong></a></p>
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<p>Under the new two-stage format, a total of 18 teams will battle for the title of world champion, including two from Africa, five from the Americas, three from Asia, three from Europe, two from Oceania and three wild cards. </p>
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<p>14 nations have been already confirmed and allocated in their respective groups:</p>
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<ul><li><strong>Group A</strong>: Ireland (host), Australia, Botswana, Great Britain, USA and Asia 3. </li><li><strong>Group B</strong>: Spain (host), Cuba, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, South Africa and Asia 2. </li><li><strong>Group C</strong>: Italy (host), Canada, New Zealand, Venezuela, Asia 1 and a Wild Card for Asia.</li></ul>
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<p>Ireland and Spain have received each a Wild Card as hosts of a group stage, while the third Wild Card is confirmed for Asia.</p>
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<p>The WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup will start with Group A in Dublin and Fingal, Ireland, from 11-15 July; followed by Group B in Valencia, Spain, from 18-22 July; and Group C in Castions di Strada and Buttrio, Italy, from 22-26 July.</p>
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<p>The top two teams from each group of the Group Stage, plus two Wild Cards, will advance to the eight-team World Cup Finals 2024 in Italy.</p>
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