Schedule unveiled for WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Asia Qualifier

Softball Asia announced the competition schedule for the U-18 Women’s Softball Asia Cup, a qualifier for the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup, which is scheduled to take begin in 2024 with the Group Stage. A total of eight teams will participate in the Asia qualifier from 29 August to 3 September at Pingtan Softball Stadium in Pingtan, China.

World No. 2 Japan; No. 5 Chinese Taipei; No. 11 China; No. 21 Philippines; No. 34 Korea; No. 38 Singapore; No. 40 Hong Kong, China and No. 48 India will play 22 games across six days, aiming to clinch one of the three available tickets for the World Cup.

The teams have been split into two groups. Host China will open the tournament in Group A, playing the Philippines; Korea and Hong Kong, China; while Group A will feature Japan, Chinese Taipei, India and Singapore.

After a three-day round robin, the top two nations from each group will compete in the Super Round, with the rest of the teams playing the Placement Round. First and second in the Super Round will play for the continental title, while third and fourth place finishers will battle for the bronze. Both medal games are scheduled for 3 September.

The WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup will be played under the Two Stage format, starting with the three groups in 2024. The Finals will be played in 2025. Dates and hosts will be announced at a later stage.