2026, the Year of Challenges (Volume 2)
Baseball, Softball, Baseball5: France at the Time of Major Events
After a first overview of the highlights of 2026, here is the second wave of information on a season that promises to be dense and strategic for the French teams. Some data may still evolve in the coming weeks — we will, of course, keep you informed of official confirmations.
⚾ Baseball: Europe at Home and Eyes on 2027
🇫🇷 Évry-Courcouronnes at the Heart of the European 12U
From July 7 to 11, Évry-Courcouronnes will vibrate to the rhythm of the European 12U Championship. A major event for France, which will host the best European nations in this strategic category for the future.
Clear objective for the Bleuets: to integrate the Top 5 European. Beyond the result, this competition represents an exceptional showcase for the development of French baseball and a unique opportunity to mobilize the public around the tricolor training.
🇮🇹 A Euro 18U in Italy (to be confirmed)
From July 13 to 19, Italy is expected to host the European 18U Championship. If the organization is not yet officially confirmed, a dozen teams are expected. A promising generation could defend the French colors in an increasingly high-level European context.
🇫🇷 The Seniors in Transition
No official competition for the French Senior Team in 2026. The tricolor staff has prioritized a series of friendly matches against a national selection that has not yet been revealed.
Objective: to methodically prepare for the 2027 season, which will include the Yoshida Challenge in the summer of 2027. A year of structuring, cohesion, and evaluation of talents before the major continental challenges.
🥎 Softball: Structuring and European Ambitions
⭐ Super League Women: The Elite in Action
The Super League, bringing together the 30 best players from the women’s Division 1 championship, will return with two major dates, including the last weekend of May.
Big novelty in 2026: on April 11 and 12, a junior Super League will be born. A strong initiative to accelerate the training of talents and prepare the next generation for the highest level.
🥎 Men’s Softball: A Reform in Progress
The men’s championship is not yet definitively set, but the current project provides for:
- A grouping of D1 and D2 teams from the 2025 version
- Two geographical pools in a first phase
- A Challenge of France bringing together the four best teams
- « Off » and « down » final phases
A format designed to raise the overall level and project the future champion towards the 2027 European Cup.
🌍 Young European Appointments
- Euro 15U in the Netherlands from July 25 to August 1
- Euro 22U in the Czech Republic from July 20 to 26
Two key competitions to measure the progress of French youth teams against the major European nations.
🖐 Baseball5: Olympic Uncertainties and Global Ambitions
🇸🇳 Dakar 2026: Suspense for the Youth Olympics
France’s participation in the Youth Olympics in Dakar in November remains uncertain. The International Olympic Committee has not yet defined the exact number of qualified European nations.
France is a candidate, but will have to face competition from Lithuania and Turkey. The decision is expected in the coming months.
🌎 World Championship in Puerto Rico in December
Head to Puerto Rico for the Baseball5 World Championship. France will try to consolidate its international ranking there.
But the task promises to be complex: Taiwan and Cuba are among the big favorites. The Blues will have to deliver a high-level competition to rival.
Rumors also evoke a possible integration of Baseball5 into the Mediterranean Games at the end of July — information to be monitored.
🔎 Miscellaneous: Nominations and International Figures
🏛 A New National Technical Director Expected
The appointment of the new National Technical Director (DTN) will take place on April 1. This position, being part of the Public Service, will be officially announced by the Minister of Sports. A strategic decision for the future orientation of French baseball and softball.
🌎 World Baseball Classic: Martinez Jr. towards History?
Regarding the World Baseball Classic, a major piece of information has fallen.
Initially considered to join the Cuban selection, Ernesto Martinez Jr. will finally not participate in the competition with Cuba.
The reason? The Franco-Cuban has just been invited to the Spring Training of the New York Yankees and is on the first line-up of a preparation match.
Unless injured or underperforming, everything indicates that he could play at least one MLB game this season. This would be a historic first for a player trained in France in the history of American baseball. A potentially major page for the tricolor sport.
🇧🇷 A Familiar Face with Brazil
Also noteworthy is the presence of Gabriel Do Carmo with the Brazilian selection. The former catcher, who passed through Montigny in 2024 and then Sénart in 2025, will return to the international scene.
2026: A Pivotal Year
Between European competitions, structuring of national championships, Olympic ambitions in Baseball5, and possible historic firsts in MLB, 2026 promises to be a pivotal year.
French baseball, softball, and Baseball5 are entering an acceleration phase. The international scene is getting closer. Ambitions are growing.
And the story continues to unfold.
