The competition is scheduled to be held at Colquhoun Park in Palmerston North from February 22 to March 1. 

Group B includes hosts and world number one New Zealand, number three Japan, wildcard the United states, Mexico, Denmark and Guatemala.

The world number two, Canada, are in Group A alongside number four Australia, number five Argentina, Czech Republic, South Africa and Singapore. 

The top three teams from Group A are set to play the top three teams from Group B in the super round, with the top two nations in the standings after that stage meeting in the final. 

"Less than two months away from the first pitch the teams already know their rivals for the U-18 Men's Softball World Cup Opening Round," WBSC softball chairman Tommy Velazquez said.

The WBSC have already presented the new logo and visual identity for the competition, completing the rebranding process of the Softball World Championships into Softball World Cups across all men and women's platforms and age-groups.

"This brand new event will be a milestone for men's softball history," Velazquez added. 

"Not only for the new age bracket or the new look and feel of the event, but also because, for the first time ever, nine teams have qualified for the World Cup through continental events, boosting the youth men's softball competition in every corner of the planet."

An official game schedule will be announced in the upcoming weeks, but tickets are already available to purchase.

Fans can acquire daily passes for each competition day or buy a tournament pass.