Women's National Team roster named for World Cup Group Stage
Right-hander Raine Padgham (Abbotsford, B.C.) will pitch for the Women’s National Team at the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage, set for July 22-26 in Rockford, Ill. Photo: Baseball Canada
July 16, 2026
Baseball Canada
Winnipeg, Man. – Baseball Canada has announced the 20-player Women's National Team roster that will represent Canada at the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage, set for July 22-26 in Rockford, Illinois, where the team will look to secure one of three available berths to the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals, scheduled for July 21-27, 2027, also in Rockford.
Seventeen athletes return from the squad that swept Puerto Rico in three games in May to qualify for the Group Stage, while 15 players bring previous Women's Baseball World Cup experience.
Thirteen members of the roster helped Canada capture the bronze medal at the 2024 WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals in Thunder Bay, Ont., including Lucie Anctil, Emily Baxter, Ela Dy-Bédard, Sophy Gagné, Alizée Gélinas, Liz Gilder, Andréanne Leblanc, Jaida Lee, Cassie Matlock, Raine Padgham, Michelle Roche, Alli Schroder and Madison Willan.
Veteran Claire Eccles will compete in her fourth Women's Baseball World Cup, having helped Canada win a silver medal in 2016 before earning bronze in 2018. Liz Gilder, Alli Schroder and Madison Willan also return from Canada's bronze medal-winning team at the 2018 Women's Baseball World Cup.
Sarah Pengelly brings additional Women's Baseball World Cup experience after representing Canada at the 2023 WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage in Thunder Bay.
The roster also includes two athletes who will make their Women's National Team debuts on the international stage. Kyanna Faucher and Camille Proulx earned their first national team selections after participating at Baseball Canada's Women's National Team Development Camp in Cary, N.C., last October.
"This roster is a great reflection of the strength and growth of our program," said Anthony Pluta, manager of the Women's National Team. "We have a talented group of athletes who have gained valuable experience competing together on the international stage, and that veteran presence will be incredibly important as we prepare for another World Cup. We're confident in the talent, depth and leadership that we'll bring to Rockford as we compete for a place in the 2027 Women's Baseball World Cup Finals."
After training in Winnipeg, Man., from July 13-15, the squad will travel to Rockford, Ill., where the team will continue its preparations from July 17-21.
Prior to the start of World Cup competition, Canada will face Team USA in a pair of exhibition games on July 18 and 19 in Rosemont, Illinois.
The coaching staff is led by Anthony Pluta, who has served as manager since 2023 and guided Canada to a bronze medal at the 2024 Women's Baseball World Cup. He is joined by pitching coach Brittney Langlais, first base Coach Kristy Watson, and third base Coach Logan Wedgwood. All four coaches were also part of the staff that led Canada to a three-game sweep of Puerto Rico in May to secure the country's place in the Group Stage.
Exhibition Schedule
July 18 – Canada vs. United States, 11:30AM ET (Rosemont, Ill.)
July 19 – Canada vs. United States, 5:30PM ET (Rosemont, Ill.)