WARSAW (Poland) – The landmark 10th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup delivered everything fans could have hoped for.
Over seven days in the heart of Warsaw, the world's best men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams battled in veiw of the iconic Palace of Culture and Science, producing dramatic finishes, breakthrough performances, stunning upsets and new champions.
With Latvia lifting the men's trophy and USA reclaiming the women's crown, here's what we learned from an unforgettable week in Poland.
Latvia complete triple crown
Many wondered whether Latvia's legendary men's national team core could make another more run at the top of the world. The answer was a resounding yes.
Led by MVP Kārlis Lasmanis and Olympic hero Nauris Miezis, Latvia navigated a stacked field to finally claim their first FIBA 3x3 World Cup title. The veterans once again delivered on the biggest stage, proving that experience still matters when the pressure reaches its highest level.
This win was a long time coming for Latvia, which had already won at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup (2017) and Olympics (Tokyo 2020). Lifting the trophy in Warsaw completed the highly coveted 3x3 basketball triple crown for the Latvians, who made history as the first men's national team to achieve it.
USA are back on top
After a disappointing finish at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2025 in Ulaanbaatar, the United States women arrived in Warsaw determined to make a statement. Well, they did exactly that.
Powered by tournament MVP Mikaylah Williams, who hit the championship-clinching shot against Australia in the Final, Team USA played with confidence, athleticism and depth throughout the competition before capturing the women's title. It was a reminder that when the United States puts together the right mix of talent and chemistry, they remain one of the most dangerous teams in the world.
Madagascar proved they belong
Few stories captured hearts in Warsaw quite like the Madagascar men. After opening the tournament with two losses, Madagascar responded by defeating Australia and stunning defending champions Spain to reach the knockout rounds of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup for the first time in their history.
Their fearless style and never-say-die attitude turned them into one of the tournament's most beloved teams and highlighted the growing depth of 3x3 basketball worldwide.
Women's game has never been deeper
The women's tournament once again demonstrated just how competitive international 3x3 basketball has become. The Netherlands, USA, Germany, Ukraine, China, Lithuania, Latvia, Azerbaijan and even Philippines all produced moments of brilliance throughout the week, while emerging teams continued to challenge established powers.
Gone are the days when only a handful of nations could realistically contend. The global race for women's 3x3 basketball supremacy is becoming increasingly crowded.
New stars emerged
Every FIBA 3x3 World Cup creates heroes. This year, players such as Williams, Marena Whittle, Fabian Giessmann, Denzel Agyeman, Elly Randriamampionona and Kacey Dela Rosa continued to elevate their international profiles with standout performances.
The future of 3x3 basketball looks bright as a new generation continues to emerge alongside the sport's established stars.
Road to LA28 continues to taking shape
The FIBA 3x3 World Cup remains one of the most important milestones in international 3x3 basketball. While medals were the immediate objective in Warsaw, teams also used the tournament as an opportunity to measure themselves against the world's best as the journey toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games continues.
The margins between success and failure continue to shrink, and every major competition now carries enormous significance.
Warsaw embraced the World Cup
The Polish capital proved to be a spectacular host. More than 89,000 people visited the venue throughout the event, while all seven evening sessions sold out, accounting for 17,500 tickets sold. Fans from around the world flocked to Plac Defilad, helping create one of the most vibrant atmospheres of the year.
Set against the backdrop of the Palace of Culture and Science, the event showcased exactly why urban settings remain the perfect stage for 3x3 basketball.
DUNK MANIA made an impressive debut
One of the biggest innovations of the tournament came away from the games themselves. DUNK MANIA brought a fresh twist to dunk contests through team rivalries, storytelling and social-first content. Fans embraced the format as Team Grabo, led by hometown hero Piotr "Grabo" Grabowski alongside Chen "Dunk King" Deng Xing and Dmitry "Smoove" Krivenko, defeated Team Joel in the inaugural competition.
The successful debut suggests DUNK MANIA could become a staple of future major events.
Growing global footprint
The FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2026 reached worldwide hrough an extensive network of broadcast partners, including major markets such as the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Brazil and China.
Combined with digital coverage through the broadcasters, creators and FIBA 3x3's own platforms, the tournament once again demonstrated the discipline's rapidly expanding international appeal.
Next chapter awaits
As Warsaw passes the torch to Singapore, the future looks brighter than ever. The 10th edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup celebrated how far the sport has come -- from its early days to becoming one of the fastest-growing Olympic disciplines in the world.
If Warsaw taught us anything, it's that 3x3 basketball continues to evolve, surprise and inspire. And with Singapore 2027 already on the horizon, the next chapter cannot come soon enough.
FIBA