The first ever WBSC Under-23 Men’s Softball World Cup gets underway this weekend, where 12 nations are about to descend upon Paraná in Argentina to compete for the title of World Champions. 

Where is it? 

Considered to be Argentina’s softball capital, the city of Paraná sits along the Paraná River in Argentina’s north-east, approximately a three-hour drive from the border of Uruguay, and almost six hours north of Argentina’s capital city, Buenos Aires. 

Australia’s Team 

Australia’s 16-man roster was announced in February and includes three members of the 2022 WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup winning Aussie Steelers squad. Matt Harrow will captain the team, with Riley James and Jack Besgrove part of the leadership trio, serving as Vice Captains. 

The team has been prepped by Head Coach, David Metekingi, who expressed his excitement after announcing the U-23 Australian Men’s team for the U-23 Men’s World Cup. 

"I'm excited to be taking such a talent-rich team to the inaugural Under-23 Men’s World Cup," said Metekingi. "This team has the potential to make a big impact on the international stage, and I'm looking forward to seeing them perform at their best in Argentina." 

This will not be the first step taken on the world stage for many of the team. Jack Besgrove, Ethan Field, Jeremy Garland, Riley James, Caleb Van de Griendt, Lincoln Walk, Matt Harrow, Ryan King and Jeremy Waters have all represented Australia at either the 2018 U-18 Junior Men’s Softball World Championship in Canada, or the 2020 U-18 Men’s Softball World Cup in New Zealand. 

"We are really pleased with the team selected and I am confident that under David Metekingi and his coaching, the guys will do well,” said Softball Australia CEO, Rosie Williams OBE. "We are looking forward to watching them represent Australia on the world stage.”  

Click here to view the full squad. 

Who is going? 

Teams are coming from all around the globe, with 12 nations competing to be crowned World Champion. 

Australia sits in Group A, alongside host nation (and world number one) Argentina, Czechia, Mexico, South Africa and Singapore. 

Group B consists of Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Venezuela, Israel and Team WBSC*. 

In the opening round robin, teams in each group will play each other once (five games), before the Placement and Super Round sees teams play three nations from the opposite group. 

Results from the round robin carry over into the Super Round, where the two nations with the best records will face-off in the World Championship Final at 6:00AM AEST, with third and fourth place playing for the bronze medal at 3:00AM AEST. 

Who is Australia playing? 

Australia’s opener is game four against Singapore at 4:30AM (AEST) on Sunday 16 April.  

Australia’s Group Games 

Head to the dedicated U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup website for the full schedule with game times in both local Paraná time, as well as your time zone. 

How to watch? 

Every game will be streamed live on GameTime. 

The tournament pass - allowing access to all 50 games – is available for US$ 9.99, with a daily pass option available for US$ 5.99 (per day). 

Tournament packages are available now, and can be purchased here. 

What are they playing for? 

The winning nation will be awarded the title of World Champions and take home this gorgeous U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup trophy! 

Australia are the reigning WBSC Men’s World Cup Champions, and if our U-23 team manage to win in Argentina, Australia would have the historic opportunity to compete for the U-18 Men’s World Cup later in the year and become the holders of all three Men’s World Cup trophies! 

Dream big we say! 

Head to the Aussie Steelers’ Facebook page for the latest from Argentina and our Australian U-23 Men’s Softball World Cup campaign. 

* Since the National Olympic Committee of Guatemala has been suspended by the International Olympic Committee, the Guatemalan athletes cannot represent their country or compete under its flag and name at international sports events. In respect of the athletes' rights to participate in the World Cup, they will compete at the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup under the WBSC flag.