The best U-15 talents in baseball have already competed for five days in the Colombian cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena, and now six teams – Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua and Puerto Rico – will play the Super Round of the 2024 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup at the Edgar Renteria Stadium in Barranquilla and fight to see who can advance to Sunday’s final and ultimately win the world title.

With Japan (two gold, two silver and two bronze), Chinese Taipei (one gold, five silver and four bronze) and Mexico (one bronze) being the only Super Round teams to have won a medal at the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Championship, this is a chance for a new face – Nicaragua, Puerto Rico or Colombia – on the podium, and also for a new winner since 1991, when Chinese Taipei and Japan won the first three world titles in 1991, 1990 and 1989.

Japan conquers the world
After winning the U-18 and U-23 Baseball World Championships, the Premier12 and the World Baseball Classic, and the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, the Samurai Japan program is just two titles – the U-12 and U-15 Baseball World Championships – away from complete dominance of the international baseball scene. Now the world No. 1 team is four games away from achieving either of those goals, heading into the Super Round with a record of 2-0.

Mexico aims for second World Cup title
The world’s No. 2 team, Mexico, is always in the mix on the international stage. Since winning the 2018 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup, Mexico enters the Super Round of the WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup with plenty of options to play in only its second World Cup final after losing to Venezuela in front of its home crowd in the 2021 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup. Diego Serna confirmed himself as Mexico’s top player after a convincing performance against Venezuela that helped the Mexican team secure a ticket to the Super Round.

Has the moment come for Chinese Taipei?
World No. 5 Chinese Taipei have won several medals in recent years, but the world title has remained elusive for the Asian powerhouse. After a clear win over Nicaragua to close the opening round, Chinese Taipei look set for a championship run with Japan as the first stop on the road.

Nicaragua is ready to become a contender
Are we witnessing the rise of a new world-class team in the Americas? Nicaragua, ranked 20th in the world, surprised everyone in Cartagena in the opening round and looked like a solid team ready to compete. The loss to Chinese Taipei was a setback, but as they enter the super round with a 1-1 record, their options for action on championship day are pretty good.

Puerto Rico is a top team looking for a title to confirm its status
One of the greatest baseball countries in the world has only won one world championship: the 1951 WBSC Baseball World Cup. With a solid team that played great baseball in the opening round in Barranquilla and entered the Super Round with a 1-1 record, the odds are good to play for the world championship.

Colombia – The host wants to perform a miracle
Colombia, ranked 13th in the world, have fought their way into the Super Round with an important win over the Dominican Republic. Even with a 0-2 record, they are in a position to attempt a winning streak, as four of the six teams start this round with a 1-1 record. A win on the first day of the Super Round will be the difference between having a chance or not.

The Super Round begins on Thursday at the Edgar Renteria Stadium in Cartagena and you can follow all the action on Gametime, the WBSC’s OTT platform.

Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic, Guam, Italy, the Netherlands, South Africa and Venezuela will contest the placement round in Cartagena, with three teams – Guam (10th in 1995), Italy (9th in 1998 and 1996) and South Africa (8th in 2003) – attempting to match their best ever finish in this age group.