WBSC President Fraccari: “A New Cycle Full of Opportunities, Challenges and Ambition”

Mellieha, Malta — World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fraccari addressed delegates at the WBSC Europe Congress in Malta on Saturday, outlining a bold and ambitious vision for Baseball/Softball as the sport enters a new international cycle leading towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

“We are truly at the beginning of an exciting new cycle for our sport,” President Fraccari told the WBSC Europe deleagtes. “And it is a cycle full of opportunities, challenges and ambition.”

President Fraccari highlighted the recently communicated Olympic qualification pathways, which provide clarity and structure as baseball/softball moves towards the LA28 Olympic Games.

For baseball, the journey begins early. The World Baseball Classic in March will serve as the first Olympic qualification tournament starting next month, a significant milestone that underscores the global standing of the discipline.

The pathway continues with the WBSC Premier12 in 2027, while teams competing in the Premier12 qualifiers this year will already be taking the first steps on the potential road to Los Angeles. A final qualification event, scheduled by March 2028, will complete what President Fraccari described as a “demanding but exciting pathway, designed to ensure the highest competitive level.”

For softball, the structure is equally robust. The WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals in Australia in 2027 — with this year’s WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Group Stage initiating the Olympic journey — will be followed by three qualification events in 2027 and a final qualification tournament by March, 2028.

“This system allows teams from all continents to compete on a fair and balanced basis,” President Fraccari noted. “We are confident that it will result in the very best teams taking part in Los Angeles.”

A major milestone will also be the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, where Baseball5 will feature on the programme for the first time. President Fraccari emphasised Baseball5’s strategic importance in expanding the sport’s global footprint and accessibility.

Beyond the Olympic horizon, the WBSC continues to shape the future of the sport through youth engagement and innovation.

Baseball5 is opening doors to major multisport events, including the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, Italy, the Asian Games, and competitions under the International School Sport Federation. Its urban, inclusive and dynamic format has become a key development tool, particularly in engaging new and younger audiences.

In parallel, the WBSC’s investment in eSports continues to gain momentum. Successfully launched in recent years, the discipline is proving highly attractive to younger generations. As highlighted during the WBSC Europe Congress workshop on Friday, the WBSC is among the International Federations leading the growth of eSports within the Olympic Movement.

While the IOC is currently reflecting on the future of its sports programme under the “Fit for the Future” initiative, President Fraccari reaffirmed the WBSC’s proactive approach: “We continue to work closely with our partners to develop these projects and to position our sport for the future.”

President Fraccari stressed that diversification has become essential to the WBSC’s evolution. Expanding into new disciplines and platforms enables the WBSC to adapt to societal trends, reach new athletes and fans, and keep the global community engaged — all while maintaining a strong and stable calendar of baseball and softball events, including the WBSC’s World Cups.

He also provided an update on development and funding for the new cycle. The WBSC has published its new Development Manual with funding continuing to be allocated to Continental Associations, which distribute resources based on submitted projects and requests.

Concluding his address, President Fraccari underlined the significance of the moment for baseball and softball globally.

“We are entering a period that is rich in events, ideas and possibilities,” he said. “This is a very special moment for our sport — from an Olympic perspective, but also in terms of our collaboration with the professional world. Let us continue to work together, with unity and ambition, to make the most of it.”