SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (June 19, 2025) – Cantareira Little League of São Paulo, Brazil, is heading to Greenville, North Carolina, and straight into the history books. With a 2-0 victory over top-seeded Puerto Rico in the 2025 Latin America Region championship game, Cantareira LL became the first team from Brazil to represent the Latin America Region at the Little League Softball® World Series (LLSWS), Presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
Cantareira LL capped its impressive run with a 4-1 overall record in the tournament, overcoming an early 10-0 loss to Puerto Rico in their opening game. The resilient squad bounced back with a nail-biting 2-1 win over Mexico and carried that momentum through the rest of the competition to earn the historic bid to the LLSWS.
The Latin America Region has a rich history in the LLSWS, dating back to 1996, previously represented by teams from Puerto Rico (16 times), Mexico (6), Curacao (3), and Aruba (1). Cantareira LL will be the first team from Brazil to carry the banner when it takes the field this summer.
The team’s opening matchup is set for Sunday, August 3, in the Orange Bracket against the defending champion North Carolina (Host) Region. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
This milestone comes as Little League Softball continues to see global growth. Since 2018, participation in the program has increased by approximately 8%, driven by initiatives such as the Little League Girls with Game campaign, expanded ESPN coverage, and partnerships with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL).
In addition to competing in the World Series, players will enjoy a unique opportunity to meet some of the sport’s top athletes when the AUSL Pro Games come to Greenville for a doubleheader at East Carolina University on August 6.
This year’s LLSWS promises wall-to-wall coverage, with 129 softball games slated to air on ESPN platforms over five weeks. Fans can catch all seven U.S. Region Championship games and 13 of the 22 World Series games—including the championship game on ABC for the third consecutive year.
The 2025 Little League Softball World Series runs from August 3-10 in Greenville. Admission and parking are free for all visitors. For the full schedule and visitor information, visit LittleLeague.org/WorldSeries.
