The top 12 junior national teams in the world will compete over nine days at Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium in Parana in pursuit of the new prize.

The main element of the trophy, designed and manufactured by Italian artisans Fratelli Pazzaglia, is a golden ball at the peak with the WBSC logo engraved on it.

This is supported by three flowing curves that represent the pitcher's arm, his body and the movement of his arm, all elements of the tournament logo.

The golden curves have details in yellow and light blue, matching with the colours of the logo.

The golden base of the trophy has the name of the event engraved in black and light blue, along with the flag of the host country, the name of the city, and the inscription "world champions" both in English and Spanish, the official languages of the WBSC.

Twelve nations are set to contest the Under-23 Men’s Softball World Cup.

Group A will feature hosts and top ranked Argentina, Australia, ranked fourth, Czechia, ranked sixth, Mexico, ranked tenth, South Africa, ranked 12th and 14th-ranked Singapore

Group B includes the respective second and third-ranked Canada and Japan, seventh-ranked New Zealand, eighth-ranked Venezuela, Team WBSC and Israel, ranked 21st. 

After a five-day opening round robin, the top three teams in each group will advance to the Super Round, carrying head-to-head results from the Opening Round. 

The two nations with the best records after the Super Round will play in the World Championship Game, while the third and fourth place teams will play for the bronze medal.

Guatemala will play under the banner of the WBSC.

The arrangement has been made by the WBSC "in respect of the athletes’ rights to participate" following the suspension of the National Olympic Committee of Guatemala by the International Olympic Committee for its failure to resolve a "domestic legal dispute."