View source for Baseball5 World Cup

{{Short description|Mixed-gender Baseball5 tournament}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title           = Baseball5 World Cup
| current_season  = 
| last_season     = 2024 Baseball5 World Cup
| upcoming_season = 
| sport           = Baseball5
| logo            = Baseball5 World Cup logo.svg
| pixels          = 200px
| caption         = 
| founded         = 
| inaugural       = 2022
| administrator   = [[World Baseball Softball Confederation]]
| teams           = 12
| champion        = {{bb5|Cuba}} (2nd title)
| champ_season    = 2024
| most_champs     = 
| most successful club = {{bb5|Cuba}} (2 titles)
| related_comps   = [[Youth Baseball5 World Cup]]
| website         = {{url|https://baseball5.wbsc.org/}}
}}
{{Season sidebar
| title = Tournaments
| list = 
* [[2022 Baseball5 World Cup|2022]]
* [[2024 Baseball5 World Cup|2024]]
* [[2026 Baseball5 World Cup|2026]]
* [[2028 Baseball5 World Cup|2028]]
}}
The '''Baseball5 World Cup''' ('''B5WC''', and sometimes referred to as the '''Senior Baseball5 World Cup''')<ref name=":0" /> is a [[Mixed gender sport|mixed-gender]] [[Baseball5]] (B5) world championship that occurs every two years, with the first edition held in [[2022 Baseball5 World Cup|2022]] in Mexico and contested by 12 countries.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=10 December 2020 |title=Inaugural Baseball5 World Cup to take place in 2022 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1101813/baseball5-world-cup-inaugural-2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210095833/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1101813/baseball5-world-cup-inaugural-2022 |archive-date=2020-12-10 |access-date=2021-10-07 |website=www.insidethegames.biz}}</ref> It is governed by the [[World Baseball Softball Confederation]] (WBSC).<ref>{{Cite web|title=New bidding guidelines revealed for WBSC Baseball, Softball, Baseball5 World Cups – Asia Softball Confederation|url=https://asiasoftball.com/2021/03/24/new-bidding-guidelines-revealed-for-wbsc-baseball-softball-baseball5-world-cups/|access-date=2021-10-07|language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
The inaugural B5WC was originally planned to happen in December 2020 in Mexico.<ref name=":2" /> The [[COVID-19 pandemic]] led to the delay of the B5WC to June 2021;<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=WBSC Executive Board postpones Baseball5 World Cups to June 2021|url=https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/wbsc-executive-board-postpones-baseball5-world-cup-to-june-2021|access-date=2021-10-07|website=wbsc.org|language=en}}</ref> however, the continued impact of the pandemic delayed the B5WC further. It was later decided that the WC would be played every two years, starting in 2022.<ref name=":1" />

The 14-team [[2020 European Baseball5 Championship]] held in February and March saw France and Lithuania take the two available Europe berths to qualify for the inaugural B5WC.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|date=1 March 2020|title=France win inaugural Baseball5 European title by defeating Lithuania|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1091310/baseball5-european-championship-vilnius|url-status=live|access-date=2021-10-07|website=www.insidethegames.biz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423074239/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1091310/baseball5-european-championship-vilnius |archive-date=2020-04-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=France are the first Baseball5 European champions|url=https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/france-is-the-first-baseball5-european-champion|access-date=2021-10-07|website=wbsc.org|language=en}}</ref> The Oceania qualifier was scheduled to be played in Australia in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Baseball Australia|url=https://baseball.com.au/news/australia-to-host-oceania-baseball5-qualifier/|access-date=2021-10-12|website=baseball.com.au}}</ref> The Asia qualifiers were scheduled to be played in [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]] in April 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|title=OCA » Kuala Lumpur to host first continental qualifier for Baseball5 World Cup|url=https://ocasia.org/news/334-kuala-lumpur-to-host-first-continental-qualifier-for-baseball5-world-cup.html|access-date=2021-10-12|website=ocasia.org}}</ref> but were then postponed due to COVID-19 to August 17–19, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asia Cup Baseball5, qualifiers for WBSC World Cup, postponed to a later date|url=https://www.wbsc.org/news/asia-cup-baseball5-qualifiers-for-wbsc-world-cup-postponed-to-a-later-date|access-date=2021-10-12|website=wbsc.org|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=WBSC Asia Baseball5 World Cup Qualifier to take place in Malaysia |url=http://www.wbsc.org/en/news/wbsc-asia-baseball5-world-cup-qualifier-to-take-place-in-malaysia |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=World Baseball Softball Confederation |language=en}}</ref>

The [[2022 Baseball5 World Cup|first edition of the tournament]], held in [[Mexico City]], was won by Cuba, who finished the championship undefeated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cuba crowned first ever WBSC Baseball5 World Champions|url=http://www.wbsc.org/en/news/cuba-crowned-first-ever-wbsc-baseball5-world-champions|date=12 November 2022|access-date=13 November 2022|publisher=World Baseball Softball Confederation|language=en}}</ref>

In April 2023, it was confirmed that Hong Kong will host the [[2024 Baseball5 World Cup|second edition]] of the tournament, from October 7 to 12, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tavarez |first=Tuto |date=2023-04-20 |title=Copa Mundial de Béisbol 5 será en Hong Kong 2024 |url=https://momentodeportivord.com/copa-mundial-de-beisbol-5-sera-en-hong-kong-2024/ |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=Momento Deportivo RD |language=es}}</ref> On the eve of the tournament, it was announced that future editions will have 16 teams (split into four groups) and play 56 games total.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Growth of Baseball5 sees WBSC approve expanded format for future World Cups |url=https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/growth-of-baseball5-sees-wbsc-approve-expanded-format-for-future-world-cups |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=World Baseball Softball Confederation |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2024 it was announced that [[Rome]] will host the [[2026 Baseball5 World Cup|2026 tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rome, Italy to host the 2026 Baseball5 World Cup|url=https://www.fibs.it/en/news/roma-ospiter-la-coppa-del-mondo-di-baseball5-2026|website=fibs.it|date=3 October 2024|access-date=9 October 2024}}</ref>

== Format ==
The 12 countries participating in the World Cup are geographically broken down as follows:<ref name=":3" />

* The host nation automatically qualifies. 
* 3 countries from the [[Americas]] 
* 2 from [[Europe]] 
* 2 from [[Africa]] 
* 3 from [[Asia]] 
* 1 from [[Oceania]]

The following format is used for the World Cup: there are 12 countries that play a total of 50 games over seven days. The tournament will be played in three venues, with the 12 teams separated into two groups of 6 each playing a [[Single round-robin tournament|single round-robin]], followed by a "super round" and then the finals.<ref name=":0">[https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/documents/5e3f82ea-72fb-fa71-ed68-77820375ace5.pdf WBSC Baseball5 World Cups Hosting Bid Outline] ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508082657/https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/static.wbsc.org/assets/cms/documents/5e3f82ea-72fb-fa71-ed68-77820375ace5.pdf |date=8 May 2021 }}) [[World Baseball Softball Confederation]]</ref> The super round consists of the top three teams from each group, with the results of the group stage being used in the super round for any matchups between countries that played each other in the group stage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ten days to go: 10 things to know about the Baseball5 World Cup |url=http://www.wbsc.org/en/news/ten-days-to-go-10-things-to-know-about-the-baseball5-world-cup |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=World Baseball Softball Confederation |language=en}}</ref>

Each team has five active players and eight players total on the roster, with the mixed-gender nature of the tournament requiring teams to have half of their roster to be of each gender, and at least two active players per gender in the game.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Continental quota confirmed for Baseball5 World Cup & Youth Baseball5 World Cup|url=https://www.wbsc.org/news/continental-quota-confirmed-for-baseball5-world-cup-youth-baseball5-world-cup|access-date=2021-10-07|website=wbsc.org|language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://baseball5.wbsc.org/documents/Baseball5_Rulebook_ENG.pdf OFFICIAL WBSC BASEBALL5 RULEBOOK 2021] ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226044633/https://baseball5.wbsc.org/documents/Baseball5_Rulebook_ENG.pdf |date=26 December 2019 }}) [[World Baseball Softball Confederation]] "In mixed gender competitions the defensive team must have at all times a minimum of two athletes per gender on the field."</ref>

Players must be a minimum of 15 years old (though they can be 14 during the tournament and turn 15 later in the year).<ref>{{Cite web |title=From 14 to 45 years old - WBSC Baseball5 World Cup open to everyone |url=https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/from-14-to-45-years-old-wbsc-baseball5-world-cup-open-to-everyone |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=World Baseball Softball Confederation |language=en}}</ref>

== Results ==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align: center;" width="95%"
|-
!rowspan="2" style="width:5%;"|Year
!rowspan="2" style="width:13%;"|Host
| rowspan="5" style="width:1%; border-top:none; border-bottom:none;" |
!colspan="3"|Final
| rowspan="5" style="width:1%; border-top:none; border-bottom:none;" |
!colspan="3"|Third place game
|-
!style="width:16%; background:Gold;"|Champions
!width=8%|Score
!style="width:16%; background:Silver;"|Runners-up
!style="width:16%; background:#c96;"|Third place
!width=8%|Score
!style="width:16%; background:#9acdff;"|Fourth place
|-
|2022<br>''[[2022 Baseball5 World Cup|Details]]''
|{{flagicon|MEX}}<br>[[Mexico City]]
|'''{{bb5-big|CUB}}'''
|'''2–0'''
|{{bb5-big|JPN}}
|{{bb5-big|TPE}}
|'''2–0'''
|{{bb5-big|VEN}}
|-
|2024<br>''[[2024 Baseball5 World Cup|Details]]''
|{{flagicon|HKG}}<br>[[Hong Kong]]
|'''{{bb5-big|CUB}}'''
|'''2–0'''
|{{bb5-big|JPN}}
|{{bb5-big|FRA}}
|'''2–0'''
|{{bb5-big|VEN}}
|}

===Medal table===
{{Medals table
 | caption        = 
 | host           = 
 | flag_template  = bb5
 | event          = 
 | team           = 
 | gold_CUB = 2 | silver_CUB = 0 | bronze_CUB = 0
 | gold_JPN = 0 | silver_JPN = 2 | bronze_JPN = 0
 | gold_FRA = 0 | silver_FRA = 0 | bronze_FRA = 1
 | gold_TPE = 0 | silver_TPE = 0 | bronze_TPE = 1
}}

==Participating nations==
* {{legend | 1=gold | 2= — Champion | outline=grey | text='''<small>1st</small>'''}}
* {{legend | 1=silver | 2= — Runner-up | outline=grey | text='''<small>2nd</small>'''}}
* {{legend | 1=#cc9966 | 2= — Third place | outline=grey | text='''<small>3rd</small>'''}}
* {{legend | 1=# | 2= — Position | outline=grey | text='''<small>#</small>'''}}
* {{legend | 1=# | 2= — Withdrew | outline=grey | text='''<small>×</small>'''}}
* {{border|width=3px|color=red|&nbsp; &nbsp;}}&nbsp;&mdash; Hosts

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align: center;"
|-
! Teams
! {{flagicon|MEX}}<br />[[2022 Baseball5 World Cup|2022]]
! {{flagicon|HKG}}<br />[[2024 Baseball5 World Cup|2024]]
! {{tooltip|Years|Number of years participated}}
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|AUS|size=20px}}
| ×
| 12th
! 1
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|CHN|size=20px}}
| 
| 9th
! 1
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|TPE|size=20px}}
| style="background:#cc9966;" | 3rd
| 5th
! 2
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|CUB|size=20px}}
| style="background:gold;" | 1st
| style="background:gold;" | 1st
! 2
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|FRA|size=20px}}
| 9th
| style="background:#cc9966;" | 3rd
! 2
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|HKG|size=20px}}
| 12th
| style="border: 3px solid red" | 10th
! 2
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|JPN|size=20px}}
| style="background:silver;" | 2nd
| style="background:silver;" | 2nd
! 2
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|KEN|size=20px}}
| 8th
| 
! 1
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|LIT|size=20px}}
| 11th
| 8th
! 2
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|MEX|size=20px}}
| style="border: 3px solid red" | 5th
| 6th
! 2
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|RSA|size=20px}}
| 7th
| 11th
! 2
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|KOR|size=20px}}
| 10th
| 
! 1
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|TUN|size=20px}}
| 6th
| 7th
! 2
|-
| align="left" | {{bb5|VEN|size=20px}}
| bgcolor="#9acdff" | 4th
| bgcolor="#9acdff" | 4th
! 2
|-
!No. of<br> Teams
! 12
! 12
!
|}

== See also ==
* [[Youth Baseball5 World Cup]]
* [[Baseball5 Asia Cup]]
* [[Baseball5 European Championship]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
*{{Official website|https://baseball5.wbsc.org/}}
*[https://www.wbsc.org/en/disciplines/baseball5 Baseball5] at WBSC.org
{{WBSC navbox}}
{{Main world championships}}

[[Category:Baseball5 World Cup| ]]
[[Category:World Baseball Softball Confederation competitions]]
[[Category:World championships in Baseball5|World Cup]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2022]]