The WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS trophy tour is proving to be a huge hit with fans across Japan with only 18 days until the popular tournament takes place in Okinawa from 5 to 14 September.
The XXXII WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Trophy was on display at the Yokohama Stadium on August 10.
It also featured on Samurai Japan Day at the Belluna Dome, the home of the Seibu Lions, on August 14 during the game with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks.
Once in Okinawa, the trophy will be on display at the Naha City Hall.
The Baseball Federation of Japan (BFJ) and NPB Enterprise will co-host the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 in Naha City with the support of the High School Baseball Federation. The Okinawa Cellular Stadium, a 15,000-seat venue in Naha, will be the main field. The 12,000-seat Nishizaki Stadium in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, has been confirmed as the second venue.
The U-18 Baseball World Cup has the traditional WBSC World Cup format. The 12 participants will split into two groups, with the top three finishers of each group advancing to the Super Round. The first and second-place teams of the Super Round compete for the title in the World Championship Final, while the third and fourth-place finishers play for bronze in the third-place game.
No. 12 Cuba, No. 14 Italy, No. 1 Japan, No. 4 Korea, No. 7 Puerto Rico and No. 26 South Africa will compete in Group A.
Group B will include No. 3 USA, No. 10 Australia, No. 19 China, No. 18 Germany, No. 9 Panama and No. 2 Chinese Taipei.
The U-18 Baseball World Cup is the oldest Youth Baseball World Cup. Newark (USA) hosted the first edition in 1981.
Cuba (11) has the most wins, followed by the United States (10), Korea (5), Chinese Taipei (3), Canada and Japan (1).
After losing four finals, Japan claimed the title for the first time in 2023, when they beat Chinese Taipei in the World Championship Final to win the XXXI WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.
