The squad features 10 players from the 2015 World Championships, where New Zealand were beaten by Canada in the gold medal match.

Nathan Nukunuku has been named as the team’s captain, with Thomas Enoka holding the vice-captaincy role.

Enoka is joined in the team by his brothers Ben and Campbell, as well as their cousin Kallan Compain.

Tyron Bartorillo, Cole Evans, Joel Evans, Isaac Fletcher, Campbell Gibson, Karl Gollan, Josh Harbrow and Nik Hayes have also been selected.

The squad is completed by Wayne Laulu, Josh Pettett, Brad Rona and Zane van Lieshout.

New Zealand Black Sox head coach Mark Sorenson is confident the team has the right leader in Nukunuku and is well place to challenge for the world title.

“He [Nukunuku] sets high standards and he’s a leader who inspires the guys around him,” Sorensen told stuff.co.nz.

“It is a well-balanced squad with a lot of young guys who we’ve blooded, but [there are] some older heads who give us that much more experience”.

New Zealand have claimed the men’s softball world title on six occasions to date, as well as four runner-up finishes.

A total of 20 nations will compete at this year’s event, which is scheduled to take place in Whitehorse, Canada, from July 7 to 16.

Botswana and South Africa have been confirmed as the African representatives at the event, while Argentina, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Venezuela represent the Americas.

Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan and Australia will also join New Zealand at the event, along with European teams Czech Republic, Denmark, Britain, Israel and Turkey.