The FIBA World Cup is one of the most prestigious basketball tournaments in the world, bringing together national teams from various countries to compete for the title of world champion and after the FIBA qualifiers its going to be a wild ride. 

The 19th edition of the FIBA World Cup is scheduled to be held from Friday, August 25, 2023, to Sunday, September 10, 2023. The host countries Jakarta, Indonesia; Tokyo, Japan; and Manila, Philippines are buzzing with anticipation as they prepare to welcome basketball enthusiasts, players,hoop heads and officials from around the world.

Teams to watch: 

Philippines 

Gilas Pilipinas, currently ranked 40th in the world (as of Nov. 18, 2022), secured their spot in the world meet as one of the co-hosts. With this advantage, the Filipino team had ample time during the six qualifying windows to ease into the rhythm of returning coach Chot Reyes’ system. They took their time to adjust while also showcasing their impressive pool of naturalized player options. Going 6-4 in the Asian qualifiers, the big question now for the Philippines is who will bolster their already competitive local lineup. The contenders vying for the spot include the reigning and defending NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Jordan Clarkson, the PBA super import, Justin Brownlee, and the multi-time UAAP champion, Ange Kouame. It’s a tough matchups for them, but exciting times lie ahead for Gilas Pilipinas as they make their preparations for the big stage.

Angola

Angola, the 41st-ranked national team, continued their impressive streak by securing a ticket to the world meet for the sixth consecutive time. Their dominant performance in the African qualifiers led to an outstanding 8-2 record, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with on the global basketball stage.

France

Ranked fifth in the world, the French basketball team has been making waves with back-to-back bronze medals in the last two FIBA World Cups. Their impressive 10-2 performance during the European qualifiers has set the stage for an exciting journey ahead. All eyes are now on Les Bleus as they gear up for the upcoming tournament, with two key players taking center stage: the debutant Victor Wembanyama and the possibility of having Joel Embiid as a naturalized player. Expectations are high, and the anticipation is palpable as France prepares to show the world their prowess on the hardwood.

Philippines 

Gilas Pilipinas, currently ranked 40th in the world (as of Nov. 18, 2022), secured their spot in the world meet as one of the co-hosts. With this advantage, the Filipino team had ample time during the six qualifying windows to ease into the rhythm of returning coach Chot Reyes’ system. They took their time to adjust while also showcasing their impressive pool of naturalized player options. Going 6-4 in the FIBA asia qualifiers , the big question now for the Philippines is who will bolster their already competitive local lineup. The contenders vying for the spot include the reigning and defending NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Jordan Clarkson, the PBA super import, Justin Brownlee, and the multi-time UAAP champion, Ange Kouame. It’s a tough matchups for them, but exciting times lie ahead for Gilas Pilipinas as they make their preparations for the big stage.

Greece 

In the world of FIBA basketball, Greece is on a roll, claiming victory five times in a row. Ranked 9th globally, their journey to success included a solid 6-4 record in the European qualifiers. However, one cannot overlook the crucial factor behind their triumphant streak—the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose stardom has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in Greece’s dominating performances. The team’s fortunes seem to be intricately linked with the unstoppable force that Giannis brings to the court, and fans eagerly await the continuation of this remarkable journey in the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

USA 

It’s an interesting fact that the United States has participated in every FIBA World Cup to date. This tradition carries on, despite Team USA facing challenges during the Americas qualifiers, where they endured three losses in 12 games. NBA Stars like Anthony Edwards and Brandon Ingram are new comers to the world scene but with the other supporting cast like Austin Reeves of the Los Angeles Lakers, Tyrese Haliburton , rookie standout Walker Kessler and gang they still are a formidable team .The Golden State Warriors Head coach  Steve Kerr will be heading the helm and guiding his young squad into battle.

Finland

Finland is making a triumphant return to the world meet, becoming the first European qualifiers’ national team to do so. Their remarkable journey was fueled by an impressive 9-3 record during the qualifiers. Leading the pack for Finland is the talented Lauri Markkanen, who has earned his first NBA All-Star nod and is ready to guide the 24th-ranked Wolfpack on their quest for basketball glory.

Serbia

The path to the world meet was a nail-biting one for Serbia as they persevered until the very last game of the European qualifiers to secure a commendable 6-4 record. Finally, their ticket to the prestigious event was stamped, marking another memorable chapter in their basketball journey. Now, all eyes are on the reigning and defending two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and NBA Champion, Nikola Jokic, who is expected to lead the charge for Serbia at the forefront. With such a dynamic force in their ranks, the stage is set for an exhilarating showcase of Serbian basketball prowess on the world stage.

Slovenia

The Slovenians have carefully cultivated a squad with a mix of experienced players and promising young talents, complementing Luka Doncic’s skill set. This harmonious blend of basketball prowess and teamwork has the potential to create magic on the hardwood. Fans worldwide eagerly await Slovenia’s performances, fully aware that they possess the potential to be a formidable force and a dark horse in the tournament.

As the FIBA World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on Slovenia and their basketball prodigy, Luka Doncic, as they strive to etch their mark on the world stage. With passion and dedication, the Slovenian team embarks on their journey, eager to seize the opportunity to shine and bring glory to their nation in this exhilarating basketball extravaganza. Check out the schedule HERE