MIES (Switzerland) - The road to the title at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 is clear after the draw took place. The teams know which opponents they have in their group and who they might face in the early knockout stages.
We looked at the breakdown of the draw for the June 27 to July 6 event to see which Group Phase games are must watch. Here are eight can't miss games and why you should tune in.
USA vs FRA
Saturday June 27 - Group A
United States have never lost a game in the history of this competition and France have emerged as one of the top nations behind the Americans. France and USA faced off in the group stage of 2024 and the Americans won 104-81 in what many thought was a showdown of the top two teams. USA went on to the title while France crashed out in the Round of 16 to Puerto Rico and finished ninth. This France team will be ready to compare themselves with the mighty Americans.
Tony Parker’s first official outing as a head coach? The USA. Quite a start.
CMR vs CHN
Saturday June 27 - Group B
History will be made on the opening day of action in Group B as Cameroon play their first-ever U17 World Cup game against China. Cameroon beat Mali in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 to qualify for the cadet global championship for the first time. Cameroon eventually lost to Côte d'Ivoire in the Final - the winners also making their U17 World Cup maiden journey.
VEN vs CIV
Saturday June 27 - Group D
One of these U17 World Cup debutants will win their first-ever game in the competition as they square off in a historic game in Group D. Côte d'Ivoire booked their ticket to the global spectacle by winning the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 while Venezuela grabbed third place in the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025 to secure their first berth in the event.
AUS vs SRB
Saturday June 27 - Group D
While first-timers Venezuela and Côte d'Ivoire face off on opening day, the other Group D match-up has the two favorites hooking horns with Australia and Serbia - the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025 and FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025 champions, respectively. Australia grabbed second place in 2012 and 2014 while Serbia's only podium was third place in 2014
CAN vs LTU
Saturday June 27 - Group B
The two expected top teams in Group B will face off on the first day of action with Canada playing Lithuania. These teams have played three times in U17 World Cup history, starting with Canada winning 83-81 to take third place in 2010. That was Canada's only top-three finish and Lithuania had to wait until 2016's third place finish for their only podium. Canada won in the group stage in 2012 and Lithuania outlasted Canada 106-104 in overtime in Classification 5-8 action in 2024.
NZL vs TUR
Saturday June 27 - Group C
The hosts tip off their tournament with a game against New Zealand for the second straight time. The Oceanians won the 2024 matchup 114-94 in the group stage but Türkiye got their revenge when it mattered most - downing New Zealand 101-78 to grab third place. The other two teams in Group C are Puerto Rico and Slovenia.
ITA v USA
Tuesday June 30 - Group A
Many of the other games will gain meaning and intrigue depending on the results of the first day of action. One game of note on the final day of the Group Phase is Italy taking on USA in Group A, which is a repeat of the Final of 2024, which USA won 129-88 to secure the title. Italy's next generation will be just as motivated to face off against the Americans.
FIBA