FIBA World Cup 2023: Venue, Format, Qualifiers, and More

Among all the International competitions in the basketball schedule, the FIBA World Cup is certainly the most prestigious of all of them. NBA champions like LeBron James, Pau Gasol, and Kevin Durant have graced the tournament with their amazing basketball prowess. This year's edition of the FIBA World Cup starts in less than three days and the tournament is already grabbing most of the headlines.

With a rich history dating back decades, the prestigious tournament will be held over three different countries this year which makes the event really unique.

What is the FIBA World Cup 2023?

The tournament was known as the FIBA World Championship from its inception in 1950 until 2010. With a huge number of teams from across the world participating, it is the flagship event of the International Basketball Federation.

The first-ever edition was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Interestingly, there were only 10 teams participating back then. The tournament has expanded by leaps and bounds and currently, 32 teams fight for ultimate glory.

Winners of the prestigious World Cup celebrate by lifting the Naismith Trophy. It is named after the founder of basketball, Dr. James Naismith.

Where will the 2023 FIBA World Cup be held?

This year's World Cup will be held in three Asian cities, namely Manila in the Philippines, Okinawa in Japan, and Jakarta in Indonesia. The qualified teams will play 92 games over 16 days in the aforementioned cities.

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The Philippines serves as the main host with the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena hosting the opening day double-header. This is an effort to set the FIBA World Cup attendance record. The United States of America play its first game against New Zealand in Manila on the 26th of August.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Tournament Format

32 teams from around the world will be taking part in this year's edition. Teams have been divided into 8 groups consisting of 4 teams in each group.

12 teams have qualified from Europe while Asia/Oceania takes 8 places. 7 teams from America and 5 teams from Africa complete the 32 teams.

Notable countries include the USA, defending champions Spain, historically dominant Argentina, France, Brazil, and Australia to name a few.

This year's edition follows the format used during the 2019 World Cup held in China. It is comprised of three phases, the group stage, the second round, and the final phase. The top two teams from each group will advance to the next round.

In the second round, there will be four groups of four teams each. The top two teams from these four groups will qualify for the final phase.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Tournament Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Round
Fri., Aug. 25	4 a.m.	Italy 81, Angola 67	Group A
	4 a.m.	Australia 98, Finland 72	Group E
	4:45 a.m.	Montenegro 91, Mexico 71	Group D
	5:15 a.m.	Latvia 109, Lebanon 70	Group H
	8 a.m.	Dominican Republic 87, Philippines 81	Group A
	8:10 a.m.	Germany 81, Japan 63	Group E
	8:30 a.m.	Lithuania 93, Egypt 67	Group D
	9:30 a.m.	Canada 95, France 65	Group H
Sat., Aug. 26	4 a.m.	Puerto Rico 101, South Sudan 96	Group B
	4 a.m.	Georgia 85, Cape Verde 60	Group F
	4:45 a.m.	Greece 92, Jordan 71	Group C
	5:45 a.m.	Brazil 100, Iran 59	Group G
	7:30 a.m.	Slovenia 100, Venezuela 85	Group F
	8 a.m.	Serbia 105, China 63	Group B
	8:40 a.m.	USA 97, New Zealand 72	Group C
	9:30 a.m.	Spain 94, Cote d’Ivoire 64	Group G
Sun., Aug. 27	4 a.m.	Dominican Republic 87, Italy 82	Group A
	4:30 a.m.	Germany 85, Australia 82	Group E
	4:45 a.m.	Montenegro 89, Egypt 74	Group D
	5:45 a.m.	Canada 128, Lebanon 73	Group H
	8 a.m.	Angola 80, Philippines 70	Group A
	8:10 a.m.	Japan 98, Finland 88	Group E
	8:30 a.m.	Lithuania 96, Mexico 66	Group D
	9:30 a.m.	Latvia 88, France 86	Group H
Mon., Aug. 28	4 a.m.	South Sudan 89, China 69	Group B
	4 a.m.	Cape Verde 81, Venezuela 75	Group F
	4:45 a.m.	New Zealand 95, Jordan 87 (OT)	Group C
	5:45 a.m.	Cote d’Ivoire 71, Iran 69	Group G
	7:30 a.m.	Slovenia 88, Georgia 67	Group F
	8 a.m.	Serbia 94, Puerto Rico 77	Group B
	8:40 a.m.	USA 109, Greece 81	Group C
	9:30 a.m.	Spain 96, Brazil 78	Group G
Tue., Aug. 29	3:30 a.m.	Germany 101, Finland 75	Group E
	4 a.m.	Dominican Republic 75, Angola 65	Group A
	4:45 a.m.	Egypt 100, Mexico 72	Group D
	5:45 a.m.	France 85, Lebanon 79	Group H
	7:10 a.m.	Australia 109, Japan 89	Group E
	8 a.m.	Italy 90, Philippines 83	Group A
	8:30 a.m.	Lithuania 91, Montenegro 71	Group D
	9:30 a.m.	Canada 101, Latvia 75	Group H
Wed., Aug. 30	4 a.m.	Serbia 115, South Sudan 83	Group B
	4 a.m.	Georgia 70, Venezuela 59	Group F
	4:40 a.m.	USA 110, Jordan 62	Group C
	5:45 a.m.	Brazil 89, Cote d’Ivoire 77	Group G
	7:30 a.m.	Slovenia 92, Cape Verde 77	Group F
	8 a.m.	Puerto Rico 107, China 89	Group B
	8:40 a.m.	Greece 83, New Zealand 74	Group C
	9:30 a.m.	Spain 85, Iran 65	Group G
Thu., Aug. 31	3:30 a.m.	Finland 100, Cape Verde 77	Group O
	4 a.m.	China 83, Angola 76	Group M
	4:45 a.m.	Mexico 108, New Zealand 100	Group N
	5:45 a.m.	Lebanon 94, Cote d’Ivoire 84	Group P
	7:10 a.m.	Japan 86, Venezuela 77	Group O
	8 a.m.	South Sudan 87, Philippines 68	Group M
	8:30 a.m.	Egypt 85, Jordan 69	Group N
	9:30 a.m.	France 82, Iran 55	Group P
Fri., Sept. 1	4 a.m.	Italy 78, Serbia 76	Group I
	4:30 a.m.	Germany 100, Georgia 73	Group K
	4:40 a.m.	USA 85, Montenegro 73	Group J
	5:45 a.m.	Latvia 74, Spain 69	Group L
	8 a.m.	Puerto Rico 102, Dominican Republic 97	Group I
	8:10 a.m.	Slovenia 91, Australia 80	Group K
	8:40 a.m.	Lithuania 92, Greece 67	Group J
	9:30 a.m.	Brazil 68, Canada 65	Group L
Sat., Sept. 2	3:30 a.m.	Finland 90, Venezuela 75	Group O
	4 a.m.	South Sudan 101, Angola 78	Group M
	4:45 a.m.	New Zealand 88, Egypt 86	Group N
	5:45 a.m.	Cote d’Ivoire-France	Group P
	7:10 a.m.	Japan-Cape Verde	Group O
	8 a.m.	Philippines-China	Group M
	8:30 a.m.	Jordan-Mexico	Group N
	9:30 a.m.	Iran-Lebanon	Group P
Sun., Sept. 3	3:30 a.m.	Australia-Georgia	Group K
	4 a.m.	Italy-Puerto Rico	Group I
	4:40 a.m.	Greece-Montenegro	Group J
	5:45 a.m.	Brazil-Latvia	Group L
	7:10 a.m.	Germany-Slovenia	Group K
	8 a.m.	Dominican Republic-Serbia	Group I
	8:40 a.m.	USA-Lithuania	Group J
	9:30 a.m.	Spain-Canada	Group L
Tue., Sept. 5		Italy-USA	Quarterfinals
		Lithuania-Serbia	Quarterfinals
Wed., Sept. 6		Germany-Latvia	Quarterfinals
		Canada-Slovenia	Quarterfinals
Thu., Sept. 7		Italy-Latvia	Classification Game
		Lithuania-Slovenia	Classification Game
Fri., Sept. 8		USA-Germany	Semifinals
		Serbia-Canada	Semifinals
Sat., Sept. 9		Italy-Slovenia	Classification Game
		Latvia-Lithuania	Classification Game
Sun., Sept. 10	4:30 a.m.	USA-Canada	Bronze-Medal Game
	8:40 a.m.	Serbia-Germany	Gold-Medal Game

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Tournament Groups

Groups	Teams
Group A	Dominican Republic, Italy, Angola, Philippines
Group B	Serbia, Puerto Rico, South Sudan, China
Group C	United States of America, Greece, New Zealand, Jordan
Group D	Lithuania, Montenegro, Egypt, Mexico
Group E	Germany, Australia, Japan, Finland
Group F	Slovenia, Georgia, Cape Verde, Venezuela

Group G

Spain, Brazil, Cote D'Ivorie, Iran

Group H

Canada, Latvia, France, Lebanon

 Here are the groups for the Second Round

Groups	Teams
Group I	Serbia, Dominican Republic, Italy, Puerto Rico
Group J	United States of America, Lithuania, Montenegro, Greece
Group K	Germany, Slovenia, Australia, Georgia
Group L	Canada, Spain. Brazil, Latvia

Teams and Participants : Which NBA players are participating?

Groups	NBA players
Group A	Angola: Bruno Fernando (Atlanta Hawks) Dominican Republic: Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves), Lester Quinones (Golden State Warriors) Italy: Simone Fontecchio (Utah Jazz) Philippines: Jordan Clarkson (Utah Jazz)
Group B	China: Kyle Anderson (Minnesota Timberwolves) Serbia: Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta Hawks), Aleksej Pokusevski (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat), Filip Petrusev (Philadelphia 76ers) South Sudan: Wenyen Gabriel (Los Angeles Lakers), Carlik Jones (Chicago Bulls) Puerto Rico: No NBA players on roster.
Group C	Greece: Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) Jordan: No NBA players on roster. New Zealand: No NBA players on roster. United States: Paolo Banchero (Orlando Magic), Mikal Bridges (Brooklyn Nets), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Josh Hart (New York Knicks), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Cameron Johnson (Brooklyn Nets), Walker Kessler (Utah Jazz), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee Bucks), Austin Reaves (Los Angeles Lakers)
Group D	Egypt: No NBA players on roster. Lithuania: Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans Pelicans), Azuolas Tubelis (Philadelphia 76ers) Mexico: No NBA players on roster. Montenegro: Nikola Vucevic (Chicago Bulls)

Group E	Australia: Xavier Cooks (Washington Wizards), Dyson Daniels (New Orleans Pelicans), Dante Exum (Dallas Mavericks), Josh Giddey (Oklahoma City Thunder), Josh Green (Dallas Mavericks), Joe Ingles (Orlando Magic), Jock Landale (Houston Rockets), Patty Mills (Atlanta Hawks), Matisse Thybulle (Portland Trail Blazers), Jack White (Oklahoma City Thunder) Finland: Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz) Germany: Dennis Schroder (Toronto Raptors), Daniel Theis (Indiana Pacers), Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Moritz Wagner (Orlando Magic) Japan: Yuta Watanabe (Phoenix Suns)
Group F	Cape Verde: No NBA players on roster. Georgia: Goga Bitadze (Orlando Magic), Sandro Mamukelashvili (San Antonio Spurs) Slovenia: Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks) Venezuela: No NBA players on roster.
Group G	Brazil: Raul Neto (Cleveland Cavaliers) Cote d’Ivoire: No NBA players on roster. Iran: No NBA players on roster. Spain: Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies), Usman Garuba (Atlanta Hawks)
Group H	Canada: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), RJ Barrett (New York Knicks), Dillon Brooks (Houston Rockets), Lu Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Minnesota Timberwolves), Kelly Olynyk (Utah Jazz), Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks) France: Nicolas Batum (LA Clippers), Evan Fournier (New York Knicks), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves) Latvia: Davis Bertans (Oklahoma City Thunder) Lebanon: No NBA players on roster.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Rivalries

There are a huge number of rivalries in International basketball. The United States of America and Spain share a great rivalry which has produced some great encounters in the past.

Anthony Edwards of the USA will go up against Joel Parra and Jaime Pradilla of Spain which will prove to be a feisty affair. Historical South American rivals Brazil and Argentina also share an intense rivalry. On the other hand, Greece and Turkey also share an European rivalry.

FIBA World Cup 2023 Fans Enthusiasm

A huge number of fans across the world will be tuning in to watch their favorite international stars in action. Here's what fans on Twitter had to say.

Fans are excited to see Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Team Canada in action in the FIBA World Cup 2023.

Team USA, like always, is one of the most popular teams in the World Cup.

Who won the last FIBA World Cup?

The 2019 FIBA World Cup was a historic edition. For the first time ever, there were 32 teams taking part to win the ultimate International glory.

Spain dominated the entire tournament and faced Argentina in the Final. They beat the South Americans 95-75 with tournament MVP Ricky Rubio putting up his best numbers in the final. This happened to be Spain's second World Cup gold and Argentina's second World Cup silver.

What is the prize money for the FIBA World Cup winners 2023?

32 teams will battle long and hard to win the prestigious tournament. Apart from the sparkling Naismith Trophy given to the winners and the international recognition, the winning team also receives good prize money.

Although the prize money has not been officially announced, the 2019 winners received $2.5 million out of a record-breaking $15 million prize pool. The second and third-place teams received $1.5 million and $1.2 million respectively.

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What are your predictions for the 2023 FIBA World Cup? Let us know in the comments below.