---
title: "Venezuela lead men’s field in Paraná; world champions eye early advantage"
sdDatePublished: "2026-09-14T11:14:00Z"
source: "https://www.wbsc.org/news/south-american-games-softball-world-champions-venezuela-lead-mens-field-as-women-open-action-in-parana"
topics:
  - name: "softball"
    identifier: "medtop:20001066"
  - name: "sport event"
    identifier: "medtop:20001108"
  - name: "international championship"
    identifier: "medtop:20001112"
locations:
  - "Saskatchewan"
  - "Montería"
  - "Santa Fe"
  - "Venezuela"
  - "Colombia"
  - "Peru"
  - "Brazil"
  - "Argentina"
  - "Bolivia"
  - "New Zealand"
  - "Canada"
  - "Puerto Rico"
  - "Mexico"
---


Venezuela lead men’s field in Paraná; world champions eye early advantage

South American Games softball: World champions Venezuela lead men’s field as women open action in Parana

South American Games softball: World champions Venezuela lead men’s field as women open action in Parana

Women’s and men’s softball will be part of the XIII South American Games Santa Fe 2026, with both tournaments to be played at the Nafaldo Cargnel stadium in Paraná, Entre Rios.

The women’s competition will open the softball programme from 15 to 19 September, followed by the men’s tournament from 21 to 25 September.

¡Nos preparamos para un evento histórico en la provincia: los XIII Juegos Suramericanos Santa Fe 2026! ➤ 12 al 26 de septiembre pic.twitter.com

A total of 10 national team entries will compete across the two events. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela make up the six-team women’s field, while Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela will contest the men’s competition.

Six teams compete in women’s tournament

The women’s competition will feature a single round robin, with every team playing five games. At the conclusion of the Opening Round, the top two teams will meet for the gold medal, while the third and fourth-placed sides will play for bronze.

Brazil and Venezuela will open the tournament on Tuesday, 15 September at 13:00 local time, followed by Colombia and Peru at 15:30. Hosts Argentina will play twice during the opening session, facing Bolivia before closing the day against Colombia.

The Opening Round will continue until Friday, 18 September. The bronze medal game is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September at 16:00, followed by the gold medal game at 19:30.

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Five of the six participating teams competed at the WBSC Americas Women’s Softball Pan American Championship 2025 in Montería, Colombia, providing a recent reference point ahead of the South American Games.

Venezuela recorded the highest finish among them, placing fifth and securing qualification for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage 2026. Brazil followed in sixth place, ahead of seventh-placed Colombia, Argentina in ninth and Peru in 11th. Bolivia completes the Santa Fe 2026 field.

Venezuela subsequently placed third at the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Lima 2026, reaching the repechage game before losing to Puerto Rico. Brazil also returned to the global stage through Group Oklahoma City, its first WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup appearance since 2016.

World champions Venezuela headline men’s field

The men’s competition will bring together Argentina, Bolivia, Peru and reigning world champions Venezuela.

Venezuela claimed its first WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup title in 2025, defeating New Zealand 3-0 in the final in Prince Albert, Canada.

Argentina finished sixth at the 2025 World Cup and enters the South American Games following a silver-medal performance at the WBSC Americas Men’s Softball Pan American Championship 2026. The South American side lost a nine-inning championship game to Mexico, 1-0, after finishing the Super Round with a 6-2 record.

Venezuela secured bronze at the same Pan American Championship with a 1-0 win over Canada, placing two South American teams on the continental podium.

The four teams will play a double round robin from 21 to 24 September. The bronze and gold medal games will close the softball programme on Friday, 25 September.

Paraná hosts nine days of softball

The XIII South American Games officially open on 12 September and will bring together athletes representing the 15 National Olympic Committees recognised by the South American Sports Organisation (ODESUR).

Paraná will serve as the softball subsede for Santa Fe 2026. The city has an established history in the sport and has previously staged national, continental and international competitions.

Categories: Americas , Americas slideshow , Americas Softball , Men's Softball , Slideshow news , Softball , Women's Softball