As part of the new partnership, MLB-affiliated players born from 1999 to 2001 are eligible to participate with their respective national teams.

A total of 12 nations will be competing in the official junior baseball world championship, which is scheduled to take place from September 1 to 10.

The field is made up of Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, Nicaragua, South Africa, South Korea and the United States.

National governing bodies will have until August 27 to finalise their rosters.

"This landmark agreement further raises baseball's international profile, particularly following the unprecedented success and popularity of this year's World Baseball Classic," WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari said.

"The national team is intended to be a representation of a country's best players, and together with Major League Baseball's shared vision, the top young baseball players in the world will be able to wear their nations' jerseys in Thunder Bay.

"Major League Baseball continues to be a great partner in targeting youth, in evolving the culture of our sport and in building the national team brand, which is resonating with fans and players at unprecedented levels.”

MLB chief baseball officer Joe Torre added: "We are pleased to work with the WBSC to give our young affiliated players the opportunity to play on this international platform.

"MLB remains committed to our youth all over the world and playing against the best competition in their age group will only enhance their development.

"As I had the honour of doing at the World Baseball Classic, there is no greater feeling than that of representing your country on the ball field."

In March, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred raised doubts over whether players from the world's top league will compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, claiming he does not believe owners would support a break in the season.

Manfred echoed concerns expressed in February by Major League Baseball Players Association head Tony Clark, who warned the impact on the MLB schedule is the biggest obstacle.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics is due to be held from July 24 to August 9, falling in the middle of the baseball season which runs from April to October.

Fraccari has previously claimed he is confident the stars of the MLB, the world's most lucrative baseball league, would play at Tokyo 2020.

The participation of MLB players was part of the proposal made by the WBSC for inclusion at the Games in the Japanese capital.

Baseball and softball was re-added to the Tokyo 2020 programme at the International Olympic Committee Session prior to last year's Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The addition of karate, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing was also confirmed.