The first edition of the U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup, which rebrands the WBSC U-19 Women’s Softball World Championship, had been originally set to take place this year from 23-30 August in Lima, Peru, but was postponed in April following the pandemic breakout.
“The WBSC thanks the Peruvian Softball Federation and the Peruvian Sports Institute for remaining both committed and excited to host the inaugural WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup in Lima, Peru next year,” said WBSC Softball Division Chairman Tommy Velázquez. “2021 is set to be the biggest year in international softball history, with a full calendar that expands beyond the traditional summer months of June, July and August, allowing the international game and national teams to be showcased on a more year-round basis.”
The elite international youth women’s softball event will be hosted at the Villa Maria del Triunfo Complex, the softball site of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games.
The 16 teams qualified to battle For the Title of World Champion in this newly reformatted age-category remain as follows:
- Africa (1): World No. 26 South Africa
- Americas (5): No. 1 USA, No. 3 Canada, No. 4 Puerto Rico, No. 5 Mexico and No. 19 Peru (host)
- Asia (3): No. 2 Japan, No. 6 Chinese Taipei and No. 7 China
- Europe (3): No. 9 Netherlands, No. 10 Italy and No. 12 Czech Republic
- Oceania (2): No. 8 Australia and No. 16 New Zealand
- Wild Cards (2): No. 11 Philippines, No. 48 Colombia
Due to the one-year postponement of the tournament, all players who would have been eligible to participate in the 2020 WBSC global tournament will be able to play in next year’s World Cup.
The WBSC, together with the Peruvian Softball Federation and the Peruvian Sports Institute, will continue monitoring the global pandemic situation and are working along with the qualified teams/national federations and local authorities to establish a health and safety plan for the safe and successful delivery of the event.
From Softball Australia.
