Guatemalan athletes are set to play as part of a neutral team in Parana ©WBSC

Guatemalan athletes are set to play as part of a neutral team at the Inaugural World Baseball Softball Confederation Under-23 Men's Softball World Cup in Parana.

The Central American nation were due to take part in the 12-team tournament, scheduled to be held from April 15 to 23 in the Argentinian city.

But the country has been replaced by "Team WBSC" that are expected to feature Guatemalan players.

The decision comes after the Guatemalan Olympic Committee was suspended by the International Olympic Committee due to unresolved legal issues with its governance.

The punishment means that Guatemalan athletes cannot represent the country or compete under its flag and name at international competitions.

The Team WBSC has been drawn in Group B along with Japan, New Zealand, Venezuela, Israel and world number two Canada.

The draw has been made for the Under-23 Men’s Softball World Cup in Parana ©WBSC
The draw has been made for the Under-23 Men’s Softball World Cup in Parana ©WBSC

Top seed and hosts Argentina headline Group A that also consists of Australia, the Czech Republic, Mexico, South Africa and Singapore.

The top three finishers from each group will advance to the Super Round with the finals set to be held on April 23.

The event was originally scheduled to be held in 2021 before being moved to 2022 and postponed again to 2023.

Argentina has retained the hosting rights with matches set to be played at the Nafaldo Cargnel Stadium in Parana.

It will be the second World Cup to be hosted at this venue since the Junior Men’s Softball World Cup in 2012.

Under-23 is the WBSC's latest age category addition to its Men's Softball World Cup offerings, joining the senior and under-18 competitions and an under-12 mixed gender event.

Due to the postponement of the event, the age limit for the tournament has been extended to allow all eligible players in 2022 to compete in the tournament in April.