The starting pitching matchups for the first day of the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers at Taipei Dome in Taipei, Taiwan, were announced by international baseball researcher Jeff Duda on Feb. 19. The tournament, scheduled from Feb. 21-25, will feature host nation Chinese Taipei, ranked No. 2 in the World Baseball Softball Confederation rankings, competing alongside No. 24 Spain, No. 16 Nicaragua, and No. 31 South Africa for a spot in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The World Baseball Rankings are provided by the WBSC.
Nicaragua starting pitcher Ronald Medrano will face South Africa starter Dylan Unsworth at 11 p.m. EST on February 20.
Chinese Taipei called upon starter Jo-Hsi Hsu to take the mound against Spain’s Elian Leyva on Feb. 21 at 6 a.m. EST.
According to reports, the starting pitching matchups on the first day of World Baseball Classic qualifiers:
????????Ronald Medrano-????????Dylan Unsworth
????????Jo-Hsi Hsu-???????? Elián Leyva pic.twitter.com/3PCKx0MOCA— Jeff Duda (@INTLBaseball24) February 19, 2025
Nicaragua is managed by Sandor Guido. Spain will have Nelson Prada at the helm, while Neil Adonis will lead South Africa.
Chinese Taipei will have Hao-Jin Tseng commanding in the dugout after leading the nation to the first gold medal at the 2024 Premier12 Tournament.
All of the stats from the 2025 WBCQ are listed on MLB’s official World Baseball Classic page.
The rosters for all participating teams at both WBCQ events are available through the teams subtab on MLB’s World Baseball Classic website.
The pitching rules remain the same as those from the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Fernando Rayo of 8DeportivoTN8 in Nicaragua reported on Feb. 7 the pitching limits for the 2025 WBCQ. A pitcher throwing 50 or more pitches will require four days of rest, while those throwing between 30 and 49 pitches will need one day of rest. No player may exceed 65 pitches in a single game.
https://twitter.com/Rayo2Fer/status/1887935096658821613
The live box scores and stats are posted on MLB.com.
All WBC Qualifier games will be streamed live on the official World Baseball Classic website, as well as on Facebook and YouTube. Streaming will continue through the final out of the second qualifier in Tucson, Arizona, on March 6.
2026 World Baseball Classic Information:
The United States, Italy, Mexico, Great Britain and a Qualifier nation will compete at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas from March 6-11 in Pool B.
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, and a Qualifier nation will compete in San Juan, Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium from March 6-11 in Pool A.
Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czech Republic, and a Qualifier nation will compete at the Tokyo Dome from March 5-10 in Pool C.
Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, and a Qualifier nation will compete at loanDepot Park in Miami in Pool D from March 6-11.
The Quarterfinals of the 2026 WBC will feature the Pool A runner-up facing the Pool B winner on March 13, while the Pool B runner-up will face the Pool A winner on March 14 at Daikin Park.
The other side of the Quarterfinals will be on March 13 with the Pool C runner-up playing the Pool D winner and the Pool D runner-up will play the Pool C winner on March 14 at loanDepot Park.
The 2026 WBC semifinals will be held on March 15 and 16 at loanDepot Park, with the championship game taking place on March 17.
The 2025 WBC Qualifiers for the 2026 tournament will take place at the Taipei Dome in Taipei, Taiwan, from Feb. 21-25.
Nicaragua, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, and Spain will compete in the first 2025 WBC Qualifier at the Taipei Dome.
2025 WBC Qualifiers Schedule – Taipei Dome
All Game Start Times Are Listed Eastern Standard Time
February 21, 2025
South Africa vs. Nicaragua – 11 p.m. EST – February 20
Spain vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. EST
February 22, 2025
Spain vs. Nicaragua – 11 p.m. EST – February 21
Chinese Taipei vs. South Africa – 6 a.m. EST
February 23, 2025
South Africa vs. Spain – 11 p.m. EST – February 22
Nicaragua vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. EST
February 24, 2025 – Qualifier Game
2nd Place Team vs. 3rd Place Team – 6 a.m. EST
The other 2025 WBC Qualifiers venue will take place at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz. from March 2-6.
China, Brazil, Germany, and Colombia will compete in the second 2025 WBC Qualifiers at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
2025 WBC Qualifiers Schedule – Veterans Memorial Stadium
All Game Start Times Are Listed Eastern Standard Time
March 2, 2025
China vs. Germany – 1 p.m. EST
Brazil vs. Colombia – 8 p.m. EST
March 3, 2025
Brazil vs. Germany – 1 p.m. EST
Colombia vs. China – 8 p.m. EST
March 4, 2025
China vs. Brazil – 1 p.m. EST
Germany vs. Colombia – 8 p.m. EST
March 5, 2025 – Qualifier Game
2nd Place Team vs. 3rd Place Team – 8 p.m. EST
