Botswana, Kenya and South Africa chase final WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup spot
The WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup 2026 Africa Qualifier is underway in Nairobi, Kenya, where three teams are vying for the continent’s berth to the World Cup in Sincelejo, Colombia.
World No. 14 South Africa, No. 32 Botswana and No. 39 Kenya are competing at the recently inaugurated Field of Dreams to determine Africa’s representative in the second edition of the WBSC event.
The teams are playing a double round robin on 25 and 26 November, followed by playoffs on 27 November. The top seed after the round robin will advance directly to the final, while the second- and third-place teams will meet in the semifinal.
On Day 1, South Africa swept their doubleheader, defeating Kenya 16-0 and edging Botswana 5-4. In the day’s third game, Botswana topped Kenya 11-1. Day 2 will feature the same matchups to complete the six-game Opening Round.
The semifinal is scheduled for Thursday, 27 November, at 11:00, followed by the final at 15:00.
The second edition of the WBSC U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup will take place in Sincelejo, Colombia, from 25 April to 3 May, at 20 de Enero Stadium and Eduardo Porras Arrazola Stadium.
The Africa Qualifier has on offer the 12th and final ticket to the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup 2026. A total of 11 teams have secured qualification through continental tournaments. World No. 13 Colombia qualified as host; No. 2 Venezuela, No. 3 Argentina, No. 4 Canada and No. 9 Mexico advanced from the Americas. Oceania will be represented by No. 6 Australia and No. 7 New Zealand; while No. 8 Czechia and No. 18 Denmark qualified from Europe. In Asia, No. 1 Japan and No. 11 Singapore claimed the available spots.
Later this week, on 28–29 November, the Field of Dreams in Nairobi will host the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2026/2027 Africa Qualifier, featuring No. 37 South Africa, No. 54 Kenya and Uganda. They will compete for two available spots in the Women’s Softball World Cup, which begins in 2026 with the Group Stage.