Italy has reached the top of the world in blind baseball, capturing the 2026 WBSC Blind Baseball International Cup with a 10–4 victory over Cuba in Castiglione della Pescaia, Tuscany.
The championship completed an unbeaten tournament for Marco Corazza’s team and provided a memorable response to the 2024 final in London, when Cuba defeated Italy for the title.
Italy opened the 2026 competition with commanding victories over the Netherlands, 20–0, Chinese Taipei, 8–0, and Pakistan, 15–1. The knockout stage proved more challenging. In the semifinal, Great Britain led 4–2 before Italy produced 9 runs over the fourth and fifth innings to win 11–4.
Cuba then took an early lead in the championship game. Italy moved ahead 3–2 in the third inning, fell behind again 4–3 in the fourth, and responded decisively with a 5-run fifth inning. Two more runs in the sixth made it 10–4, and a defensive double play secured the world title.
Giorgio Napoli delivered 4 hits in 7 at-bats with 4 RBIs, while Danny Oliveri went 5-for-7 and was named tournament MVP. Fabio Trombini received the award as the competition’s best young player.
Great Britain completed the podium by defeating Chinese Taipei 9–2 for the bronze medal.
The 2026 tournament featured 8 national teams and was the third edition of the international competition. Italy also won the inaugural tournament in 2022 before finishing second in 2024.
The triumph confirms Italy’s leading role in a growing discipline that combines baseball, technical innovation, teamwork and inclusion – and gives the Azzurri another world championship to celebrate.
