The tentative schedules with the matchups for the first round of the 2016 WBC Qualifiers got published through the World Baseball Classic website at the end of last week. Once again a double elimination format will be played. Tournaments are set for Sydney, Mexicali, Panama City and Brooklyn in February, March and September of next year. Only the four winners qualify for the main event of the World Baseball Classic, which will be played in 2017 and is going to crown the Baseball World Champion.

Schedules:

Qualifier 1: Sydney – Blacktown International Sportspark Game Date/Time (Local) Matchup 1 Thu Feb 11 TBD South Africa vs. New Zealand 2 Thu Feb 11 TBD Philippines vs. Australia 3 Fri Feb 12 TBD TBD vs. Philippines 4 Fri Feb 12 TBD TBD vs. Australia 5 Sat Feb 13 TBD TBD vs. TBD 6 Sun Feb 14 TBD TBD vs. TBD

Qualifier 2: Mexicali – Estadio B-Air Game Date/Time (Local) Matchup 1 Thu Mar 17 TBD Germany vs. Nicaragua 2 Thu Mar 17 TBD Czech Republic vs. Mexico 3 Fri Mar 18 TBD TBD vs. Mexico 4 Fri Mar 18 TBD TBD vs. Czech Republic 5 Sat Mar 19 TBD TBD vs. TBD 6 Sun Mar 20 TBD TBD vs. TBD

Qualifier 3: Panama City – Rod Carew Stadium Game Date/Time (Local) Matchup 1 Thu Mar 17 TBD Spain vs. Colombia 2 Thu Mar 17 TBD Panama vs. France 3 Fri Mar 18 TBD TBD vs. Panama 4 Fri Mar 18 TBD TBD vs. Colombia 5 Sat Mar 19 TBD TBD vs. TBD 6 Sun Mar 20 TBD TBD vs. TBD