The 16 teams for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 were finalized in Thursday’s draw, setting the stage for the eighth edition of the tournament. The event will take place from June 27 to July 5 in Istanbul, Türkiye.
Group A features defending champions USA, Italy, France, and Japan. Group B includes Cameroon, Canada, Lithuania, and China, with matchups promising a mix of established programs and emerging nations.
New Zealand, Slovenia, Puerto Rico, and Türkiye make up Group C, while Group D consists of Venezuela, Australia, Serbia, and Côte d’Ivoire. All 16 teams advance to the Final Phase, with the Round of 16 following a single-elimination format.
Matchups will pair teams from Group A against Group B and Group C against Group D, based on group standings (1st vs 4th, 2nd vs 3rd). This format ensures every team has a chance to compete in the knockout stage.
The USA enters the tournament as seven-time consecutive champions, having never lost a game at the U17 level since the competition’s inception in 2010. Their dominance includes a 129–88 victory over Italy in the 2024 final hosted in Türkiye.
Other historically strong programs in the field include Canada, France, Australia, Spain, and Lithuania, all of which have medaled in previous editions. Emerging squads such as Cameroon and Venezuela make their mark in the 2026 field.
