MIES (Switzerland) - The global basketball community will have their sights set on Switzerland this summer as the central European nation hosts the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 starting on June 28 in Lausanne. Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about the 17th edition of the biennial tournament with all 16 teams hoping to raise the trophy on July 6.
What is the format?
The 16 teams in the competition were drawn into four groups of four teams. All teams will play each of the other nations in their group in round robin style in the Group Phase over the first three days of action in Lausanne.
Group A: Argentina, Mali, New Zealand, Serbia
Group B: Canada, China, Germany, Slovenia
Group C: Dominican Republic, Israel, Jordan, Switzerland
Group D: Australia, Cameroon, France, USA
All 16 teams advance to the Knockout Phase, starting with the Round of 16. The top finisher in Group A then takes on the fourth placed team from Group B. Group A's second place finisher faces the third place team from Group B; the third placed team from Group A plays Group B's second place team; and the Group B winner faces the fourth place team from Group A. The same crossover takes place among the Group C and Group D teams.
You will find more info about the competition system here.
For more information about the host city, visit the destination page for Lausanne, and here you can check out the venue.
Who won it last time around?
Spain collected the second FIBA U19 World Cup crown in 2023 as they defeated France in the Final in overtime with Spain's Izan Almansa taking home Most Valuable Player - one summer after he won the MVP of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022. Spain had previously won the junior global tournament in 1999. Türkiye beat USA for third place.
Here are links to recaps of the last five FIBA U19 World Cups: 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023.
You can find the all-time list of medalists here.
Which players have appeared in this tournament in the past?
So many world basketball stars have competed in this event since its inaugural competition in 1979. Here is a look back at the Top 50 ballers of all time - 50-41, 40-31, 30-21, 20-11 and 10-1.
Also, you can vote on who you think is the #FIBAU19 GOAT and who had the greatest single game in FIBA U19 World Cup history.
How did the teams qualify for this 2025 edition?
With Switzerland qualified as hosts - playing in the event for the first time - the other teams booked their tickets to the 2025 edition via their continental championships. USA, Argentina, Canada and Dominican Republic came through the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024. Mali and Cameroon secured their spots from the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024.
Australia, New Zealand, China and Jordan got their tickets through the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024. And Germany, Serbia, Slovenia, Israel and France finished top five in the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024.
What is at stake?
The winners will anxiously await the moment when they can hoist the much-coveted trophy, and they also will get to call themselves U19 world champions at least until 2027.
Where can I watch the games?
All of the games will be broadcast for free on the FIBA YouTube channel and you can consult the schedule page for when your favorite team is playing.
📌 Please note: From the Semi-Finals (July 5) through to the Third Place Game and the Final (both on July 6), geo-restrictions may apply depending on your location.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets for the games can be purchased here.
Do you have more information about the participating teams?
Make sure to check out our synopsis on the 16 participating teams and also we looked at every team and tried to argue why they could win the crown.
Our social media team will be hard at work to give you the best coverage possible on dedicated NextGenHoops channels on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
You should also look out for #FIBAU19 and make sure you include the hashtag on your posts too!
More?
Yes. There will be an amazing Coach Clinic in Lausanne.
You can also join the U19 World Cup 2025 Game Predictor Game. So, how well do you really know the U19 game? There’s only one way to find out.
Play now. Predict boldly. And own the bragging rights.
FIBA