When does the FIBA basketball World Cup begin and what countries are playing?

The Basketball World Cup is just around the corner. The 32 teams participating in the tournament are getting ready to travel to the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia – the three host countries where the quest for supremacy will take place. With that in mind, we will provide you with all the essential information about the event, set to commence on the upcoming Friday, 25 August.

Who will Team USA play in FIBA group stage?

Serbia and Puerto Rico are both contenders to emerge victorious in Group B, a group also composed of the teams from China and South Sudan. These latter two teams aim to cause surprises and secure qualification to the next round. In Group C, the United States stands as the clear favorite to outperform Greece, New Zealand, and Jordan.

Spain enters the competition as the reigning world champion; however, several other teams have the potential to dethrone them. Among them is the aforementioned, and consistently formidable, United States. Despite not bringing all the NBA superstars, they have showcased their strengths in friendly matches by defeating Spain, Greece, and Slovenia.

No Giannis, no Greece

Undoubtedly, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injury deals a significant blow to Greece’s aspirations in the tournament. Other teams aiming to assert their title candidacy include Australia, France, Canada, Slovenia, Serbia, and even Germany.

Tournament host, Philippines, is placed in Group A, alongside a potential dark horse of the tournament, the Dominican Republic. They come fresh from winning the gold medal in the Central American and Caribbean Games and have Karl-Anthony Towns as a standout reinforcement. Angola and Italy complete this group.

Can Mexico surprise Valanciunas and Vucevic?

In Group D, the prominent favorite is Lithuania, boasting Jonas Valanciunas as its primary star player. Montenegro is positioned to secure the second spot in the group, driven by the talent of Nikola Vucevic. Nevertheless, Mexico presents the potential to surprise with their experienced roster. Completing the group is Egypt, aiming to spring a surprise of their own.

Group E consists of Australia, Japan, Germany and Finland. Those from Oceania are strong favorites to win that sector thanks to the talents of Patty Mills and Josh Giddey, both in the NBA, while Germany seems destined to be second in the sector, led by Dennis Schroder.

Doncic to lead his nation

Led by Luka Doncic, Slovenia starts as the clear favorite in Group F, while Georgia, Venezuela and Cape Verde will be the ones to compete for that second place that would grant them a ticket to the second round. Spain leads Group G, accompanied by Brazil, Iran and the Ivory Coast. Group H closes the curtain with France as the favorites. Canada could put up a fight, while Lebanon and Latvia are unknown.