Britain is set to take on Australia in the XVII World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women's Softball World Cup opener ©WBSC

Britain is set to take on Australia in the XVII World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Women's Softball World Cup opener, it has been announced.

The group stage schedule for the tournament set to be held in Ireland from July 11 to 15, Spain from July 18 to 22 and Italy from July 22 to 26.

A total of 57 games will be played across the group stage.

Britain, ranked 16th will face Australia, ranked ninth, in Balbriggan, County Dublin in Ireland, on July 11.

The Oceania nation registered a 11-0 win against Britain when they faced each other in the World Cup in 2018, where they finished fourth.

Since then, Australia has finished fourth in The World Games and fifth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

World number one the United States will be up against Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Chinese Taipei in the second game before hosts Ireland play Botswana in Group A.

Dates for the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2024 is set to be announced later ©WBSC
Dates for the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2024 is set to be announced later ©WBSC

This edition of the Softball World Cup is the first to be staged under the new two-stage system.

A total of 18 teams have been split into three groups with the top two advancing to the finals, scheduled for 2024 in Italy.

Each group will play a four-day 15-game round robin, with the top four teams advancing to play-offs.  

The top two sides will then play each other for a spot in the finals.

The losing team in the first play-off will face the third v fourth winner for the second spot in the finals.

Dates for the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Finals 2024 is set to be announced later.