Australia, Canada tuning up for WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals facing tough competition at Canada Cup

With two weeks to go to the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals, world No. 5 Canada and No. 10 Australia open today a new edition of the Canada Cup, a traditional softball tournament held yearly at Softball City in Surrey, Canada. They will face No. 4 Chinese Taipei; No. 7 Mexico; No. 9 Czechia; No. 15 Philippines; No. 18 Israel; No. 28 Greece; No. 33 New Zealand; No. 36 Hong Kong, China; TC Colorado and Saskatchewan 222.

The teams have been allocated into two groups, with the round robin running from 1 to 4 July. In the Red Pool Canada will compete against Mexico, Philippines, Israel, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Pool Black holds Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Australia, Greece, TC Colorado and Saskatchewan 222.

The playoffs, to be played under the page system, will take place between 5 and 7 July. You can see the full schedule here.

Canada and Australia will also open the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup Finals in different groups. The Canadians are placed in Group A, along with No. 1 USA, No. 6 Italy and No. 17 China; while Australia will face No. 2 Puerto Rico, No. 3 Japan and No. 8 Netherlands in Group B.

Canada earned their ticket to the Finals after finishing in second place in Group C last year, played in Italy; while Australia won their spot in Ireland, finishing in second place in Group A.

You can see the schedule of the Finals here.