The WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup has been shifted from February next year to November to give more certainty to competing countries.

The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), in conjunction with Softball New Zealand and the Local Organising Committee, announced new dates for the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup 2022. The premier international men’s softball event will now take place from 26 November to 4 December in Auckland, New Zealand. 

Originally set to take place in February 2021, the tournament was previously delayed to 2022 as a result of COVID-19 pandemic safety precautions and international travel restrictions. 

WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said the new dates would give the continental associations more time to organise the necessary qualifiers for this flagship Softball World Cup, and also give New Zealand and the 12 participating nations more certainty about the organisation of the event. 

WBSC World Cup qualifiers, the global representation of the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup will be as follows: 

  • Africa: One (1)
  • Asia: Two (2)
  • Americas: Four (4)
  • Europe: Two (2)
  • Oceania:  Two (2)
  • Wild Card: One (1)

The 2021 Men's European Championship, scheduled in Ledenice and Sezimovo Ústí, Czech Republic, from June 21 to 26, 2021, will serve as a qualifier for the 2022 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup. 

/ Photos by Grega Valancic