SAN SALVADOR (El Salvador) - The best national teams in the Americas are ready to battle for continental supremacy as the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026 tips off in San Salvador, El Salvador, from October 28 to November 1. Defending champions United States will look to retain both titles, but Puerto Rico, Canada, Brazil and a host of regional contenders are ready to challenge for gold.
From the competition format and confirmed pools to the players to watch and where to catch the action, here's everything you need to know before the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026.
Where is the event?
The FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026 takes place at Plaza Merliot in San Salvador, El Salvador.
El Salvador is hosting the tournament for the first time ever, bringing the Americas' leading men's and women's national teams together for a showcase of fast-paced 3x3 basketball. The event also highlights the continued growth of the discipline in Central America.
When is it?
The tournament runs from October 28 to November 1.
🔸Wednesday & Thursday, October 28-29 - Qualifying Draw
🔸Friday & Saturday, October 30-31 - Pool Games
🔸Sunday, November 1 - Knockout Games and Finals
Who are the teams?
The FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup brings together national teams from across North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean, with separate men's and women's competitions.
The United States enter as defending champions in both categories after completing a golden double in León, Mexico, in 2025. The men's team are chasing an unprecedented third consecutive AmeriCup title, while the women aim to secure their fourth gold medal overall.
Puerto Rico's men, who claimed silver in 2025, will be among the challengers to the American title. Canada lead the women's seedings and will look to reclaim the crown after losing last year's Final to the USA. Brazil, meanwhile, remain a contender in both competitions, having consistently reached the podium throughout AmeriCup history.
Hosts El Salvador will also be looking to make the most of home-court support, while teams from across the region will compete for the remaining places in the Main Draw through the Qualifying Draw.
Pools
Both competitions feature a 12-team Main Draw divided into four pools of three teams. The remaining Main Draw berths will be decided through the Qualifying Draw.
Men's competition
Qualifying Draw
Pool A: Dominican Republic, Colombia, Guatemala, Belize Pool B: Venezuela, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Nicaragua Pool C: Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Honduras Pool D: Jamaica, Uruguay, Barbados, Suriname
Main Draw
Pool A: United States, El Salvador, Qualifying Draw A winner Pool B: Puerto Rico, Brazil, Qualifying Draw B winner Pool C: Canada, Mexico, Qualifying Draw C winner Pool D: Chile, Argentina, Qualifying Draw D winner
The men's draw features several intriguing matchups. Puerto Rico and Brazil, last year's silver and bronze medalists respectively, will meet in Pool B. Pool D pairs South American rivals Chile and Argentina, while the defending champions USA will face hosts El Salvador in Pool A.
Women's competition
Qualifying Draw
Pool A: Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia Pool B: Dominican Republic, Cuba, Guatemala, Saint Lucia Pool C: Jamaica, Paraguay, Nicaragua, Honduras
Main Draw
Pool A: Canada, Venezuela, El Salvador Pool B: United States, Cayman Islands, Qualifying Draw A winner Pool C: Chile, Mexico, Qualifying Draw B winner Pool D: Puerto Rico, Argentina, Qualifying Draw C winner
Canada will headline Pool A alongside Venezuela and the hosts. Defending champions USA face the Cayman Islands and the winner of Qualifying Draw A, while Chile and Mexico will meet in Pool C. Puerto Rico and Argentina headline Pool D.
For the full team seedings, visit the men's team list and women's team list.
How does the competition work?
The tournament begins with the Qualifying Draw, where teams compete for the remaining places in each 12-team Main Draw.
On the men's side, four Qualifying Draw winners will advance, one from each of the four qualifying pools. The women's competition has three Qualifying Draw pools, with each pool winner earning a Main Draw place.
The Main Draw is divided into four pools of three teams. Each team plays the other teams in its pool, with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the Quarter-Finals.
From there, the tournament switches to a single-elimination format. The Quarter-Finals lead into the Semi-Finals and then the Finals, where the men's and women's champions will be crowned on November 1.
Every pool game matters: a strong finish can secure a Quarter-Finals spot and keep a team's title hopes alive, while a defeat in the knockout rounds means the end of the road.
Who won last year?
The United States swept the men's and women's titles at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2025 in León, Mexico.
In the men's competition, the USA claimed gold ahead of Puerto Rico, with Brazil completing the podium in third place. The Americans now return with a chance to make history by winning a third consecutive men's AmeriCup title.
The women's Final was a dramatic all-North American contest, with the USA edging Canada 21-19 to retain the crown. Brazil also finished on the podium, extending its impressive record of top-three finishes in the competition.
Both defending champions will face different challenges in San Salvador. The USA men's team have only one holdover from their 2025 championship-winning squad, while the women's team feature an entirely new roster. Canada, meanwhile, will be motivated to reclaim the women's title after last year's narrow Final defeat.
Which players should you watch?
The FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026 features established continental stars, experienced FIBA 3x3 World Tour and Women's Series campaigners, and players looking to make their mark on the international stage.
Men's players to watch
On the men's side, Jimmer Fredette returns to lead the United States' bid for a historic three-peat, while Puerto Rico will lean on Luis Cuascut as it looks to turn consecutive silver medals into gold. Brazil's Leo Branquinho, making his sixth AmeriCup appearance, will spearhead another title push, while Canada's Jerome Desrosiers brings valuable Pro Circuit experience. Adris De Leon offers the Dominican Republic a veteran scoring threat, and Chile's Juan José Aguayo Ferrada will look to help his team make a deep run in San Salvador.
Women's players to watch
In the women's competition, Canada's Paige Crozon headlines the field as the AmeriCup's all-time leading scorer with 153 points, aiming to reclaim the title after helping her team win Women's Series stops in Shanghai and Takasaki. Defending champions USA will count on former WNBA player Aerial Powers, making her AmeriCup debut, while Brazil's Gabriela Guimarães looks to build on two previous bronze medals. Chile's Fernanda Ovalle brings Women's Series experience, and Puerto Rico's Ashley Yadrielys Torres Negron, fourth on the all-time women's scoring list, will aim to help her country secure its first AmeriCup medal.
These are just some of the players who could shape the tournament. For more names and detailed profiles, read the full men's players to watch and women's players to watch features. https://fiba3x3.com/2026/americup/news/top-men-to-watch-in-the-fiba-3x3-basketball-americup-2026 https://fiba3x3.com/2026/americup/news/top-women-to-watch-in-the-fiba-3x3-americup-2026
Why does the AmeriCup matter?
The FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup is the premier continental 3x3 basketball championship for national teams in the Americas. It brings together the region's best men's and women's sides to compete for continental honors and strengthen their positions in the global 3x3 basketball landscape, especially looking ahead to the LA28 Olympic Games.
Beyond the title itself, the tournament provides a platform for established powers to reinforce their status and for emerging programs to test themselves against the continent's best. It also forms part of the wider international pathway for 3x3 basketball, with the AmeriCup 2026 champion earning a place at the 2027 FIBA 3x3 Champions Cup.
With national pride, regional rivalries and a place among the continent's elite at stake, every game in San Salvador carries added significance.
How can you follow?
Fans can follow the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026 through FIBA's broadcast partners and official digital channels.
For a full list of broadcast partners, read the Where to Watch announcement.
The tournament will also be streamed through the official FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel, subject to territorial broadcast restrictions. In Latin America, D Sports holds exclusive live rights, with games made available 48 hours later.
For the latest schedules, results, highlights and behind-the-scenes coverage, visit the official FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2026 event website and follow @FIBA3x3 on social media.
Follow the action and join the conversation using #3x3AmeriCup.
Stay Connected
Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3x3 Cups tournaments throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official FIBA 3x3 website, where you can find the latest news, star players and everything you need to know. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3x3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.
Want to learn more about 3x3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3x3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3x3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.
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