Puerto Rico to host WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2026
Puerto Rico will host the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2026 in San Juan from 9 to 13 December, further cementing the Caribbean island’s rapid rise as a hub for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)'s fast-growing, urban discipline.
It's also extremely exciting times for Puerto Rico sports fans since it is the first time the island hosts a WBSC World Cup having staged the IBAF International Cup in 1989.
WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari praised the commitment and vision of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation (FBPR):
"We are delighted to bring the third Baseball5 World Cup to Puerto Rico," President Fraccari said. "It is an important year for this extremely exciting and successful discipline, which will make its Olympic debut at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar later this year.
"Baseball5 development in Puerto Rico seems unstoppable and the FBPR's example can inspire other Federations in the area and worldwide."
The mixed-gender, five-on-five World Cup, which is open to athletes aged 15 and older, will feature 16 teams for the first time after a WBSC Executive Board decision in 2024 to increase the number of participating teams from 12 to 16.
Six national teams have already secured qualification, while Cuba will arrive as the two-time defending champions.
The announcement marks a major milestone for Baseball5 in the region.
"It's a historic accomplishment for the island and for Baseball5 development in the area," stated FBPR President José Quiles following a visit to the WBSC headquarters in Lausanne.
Puerto Rico, which replaces Italy as hosts for the tournament, launched its first Baseball5 Development Programme in August 2023 and has made remarkable progress in a short time. Under the leadership of WBSC Continental Instructor Pablo Leone, an ambitious nationwide initiative led to the certification of 867 teachers, bringing Baseball5 into schools across the island.
Building on this momentum, the FBPR introduced School Championships in June 2024, featuring two age categories (11–14 and 15–18), further strengthening the grassroots pathway.
Puerto Rico, ranked 30th in the world, made its international Baseball5 debut at the II WBSC Youth Baseball5 World Cup in September 2025 in Mexico, finishing 11th.
WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2026 Qualification Process
World No. 30 Puerto Rico earned the right to participate as the host and became the sixth qualified team.
World No. 3 France, No. 13 Spain and No. 10 Turkiye earned their spots through the Baseball5 European Championship in November 2025.
No. 5 Tunisia and No. 14 South Africa qualified through the Baseball5 African Championship, also played in November 2025.
The other 10 participants will qualify according to this continental quota:
- Americas: 4 teams
- Asia: 3 teams
- Oceania: 1 team
- Previous World Cup Host (if not qualified): 1 team
- WBSC Wild Card: 1 team
No. 1 Cuba are the two-time defending Baseball5 World Champions. They defeated Japan in the World Championship Final to claim the title in 2024 in Hong Kong.