MIES (Switzerland) - The tipoff of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 is less than two weeks away and all the teams are ramping up their preparations. The FIBA team is also getting ready and can't wait for the biennial highlight in Istanbul.
To help you get more excited about the competition in Türkiye, here are 10 reasons you should be looking forward to the games from June 27-July 5.
1: USA look to make it 58-0 and 8 titles
USA have never lost a single game in the history of this competition, dating back to the first edition in 2010. The Americans have compiled a 51-0 record and seven titles over that time, and the biggest question at every U17 World Cup is: Can someone finally take down USA?
The Americans were uber-dominant at the 2024 tournament, breaking record after record, including an average winning margin of 64.3 points. So, will any nation be able to beat USA? Stay tuned.
2: Tony Parker and France's next stars
One of the few teams who have realistic chances is France, who have plenty of excitement surrounding their team. Not only do they feature two great talents - Nathan Soliman and Aaron Towo-Nansi - but those two and the country's other top prospects will be coached by a legend. The French federation has given the coaching reins to four-time NBA champion Tony Parker, and the former point guard is thrilled to start his coaching career with this national team.
The world is waiting to see what Parker can do on the sidelines after a playing career that also saw him win Most Valuable Player for leading France to the FIBA EuroBasket 2013 crown.
3: Canada look to U18 team for extra motivation
Canada always have teams loaded with talent when they come to the U17 World Cup - think of players like Jamal Murray, Andrew Wiggins, RJ Barrett and Andrew Nembhard among others. But the country hasn't been able to break through in terms of winning - claiming third place in 2010 as their lone podium finish and four times losing in the Quarter-Finals. Well, this time around they have the likes of Isaiah Hamilton and other ultra-talented players.
And they have motivation coming from their own brethren. Canada defeated the United States in the Final of the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2026 earlier this summer for the country's first continental youth crown. Now if that isn't encouragement enough to follow suit on the big stage.
4: Serbia come as European champs
Being European cadet champions definitely means a lot for the team coming to the U17 World Cup - and Serbia will be that side after they won the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025. It was the first time they hoisted the U16 trophy since 2014 and the team really savoured the long-awaited celebrations.
That title is long forgotten and now the likes of MVP Nikola Kusturica and captain Petar Bjelica will be ready to finish give Serbia another U17 World Cup podium finish. Coincidentally the only time Serbia went home with hardware from this competition was in ... 2014.
5: Türkiye hope home fans carry them to podium
Türkiye have traditionally performed extremely well in front of their home fans. In 10 men's youth or senior national teams events as hosts, Türkiye have finished on the podium six times: 1st at FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2014; 2nd at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010, FIBA EuroBasket 2001; FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2022 and FIBA U20 EuroBasket 2006; and 3rd at FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024.
The Turks also took fourth place at the FIBA U20 EuroBasket 1996. The fans in Istanbul will be hoping to see their heroes wearing medals once again on July 5.
6: Australia aim to bounce back
Australia enter the 2026 edition as the second-most successful nation in the competition's history with two second-placed finishes. But those back-to-back silver medals date back to 2012 and 2014 and the Crocs have not won a Quarter-Final since then. In fact, Australia didn't even make the top eight in 2024, crashing out in the Round of 16 at the expense of eventual finalists Italy in overtime.
The Oceanian giants ended up losing to equally disappointed France in the Classification 9-16 and then were shocked by Guinea before finally finishing 15th. Australia will look to help their fans put that nightmare behind them and finally get back to the podium. And leading the charge will be Luke Paul, one of the top players in the entire tournament.
7: Côte d'Ivoire debut as African champions
Welcome back to the youth global stage - and first time ever to the FIBA U17 World Cup - to Côte d’ivoire. Jean-Philippe Oka claimed Most Valuable Player honors in leading the team to their first cadet continental title by winning the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025. The country's only previous appearance in a youth world event was at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2013.
The Elephants will bring a new energy to the competition and would love to match at least what FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2023 champs Guinea did in their first appearance - beating China and Australia for 13th place.
8: Cameroon with another historic debut
What a last two summers it has been for Cameroon, who finished second at the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024 to qualify for their first FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Cameroon then grabbed one win at the FIBA U19 World Cup 2025 for 14th place. Later in the summer, Cameroon knocked off continental powers Mali to reach the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 Final and thereby book their first ticket to the FIBA U17 World Cup.
Fast forward to this summer and new head coach Bitee Moto Parfait will have his The Indomitable Cubs ready for their next debut.
9: Venezuela make maiden appearance
The third debutant is Venezuela, who historically grabbed third place at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025 to reach the cadet global championship for the first time. Last summer was the first time Venezuela were even playing a cadet continental event since 2017 after having won the FIBA South America U15 Championship 2024. And Venezuela's last last global youth championship was the FIBA U19 World Cup 2003 when the likes of Miguel Marriaga, Jesus Centeno and Carlos Cendeno were starring for the country.
Venezuela have begun to rebuild their youth program back home, also grabbing back-to-back podium finishes at the FIBA South America U17 Championships to make consecutive appearances at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup. Playing at the U17 World Cup will be a great next step for their development.
10: Next NBA stars on show
As if all that is not enough, let's finish this off with a general reason - we will be seeing some of the superstars of tomorrow today.
The list of greats who have played in this event over the last 16 years is growing each competition and many of those are achieving true greatness in the game. Enjoy the nine days of the competition and dreaming about which players will play on the biggest stages in the near future.
FIBA