WUHAN (China) – The stage is set for the next generation of 3x3 basketball stars as the pools for the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2026 have been confirmed ahead of the tournament in Wuhan, China from September 15-19.
The seventh edition of the U23 World Cup will bring together 40 national teams -- 20 in the men’s tournament and 20 in the women’s -- for five days of high-intensity action. With the world’s best young 3x3 basketball players competing for global glory, the competition represents another major step on the pathway toward the senior international and professional 3x3 basketball game.
Men
Defending champions Lithuania headline a stacked men’s field and will look to retain their crown against some of the world’s strongest emerging 3x3 basketball nations.
Pool A features top-seeded Germany, alongside Netherlands, last year's runners-up Serbia, Kazakhstan and Tonga, setting up an intriguing mix of traditional European contenders and challengers from Central Asia and Oceania.
Hosts China face a formidable challenge in Pool D, where they will meet defending champions Lithuania, United States and Argentina, as well as continental rivals Republic of Korea. The group brings together four continents and several nations with strong ambitions of making a deep run in Wuhan.
The other pools offer plenty of intrigue, with Latvia and New Zealand leading Pool B, while France and Australia join Algeria, Poland and Kenya in Pool C.
Pool A: Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Tonga
Pool B: Latvia, New Zealand, Spain, Egypt, Philippines
Pool C: Algeria, France, Poland, Kenya, Australia
Pool D: China, Lithuania, United States, Argentina, Republic of Korea
Women
The women’s competition is headlined by defending champions Netherlands, who return to the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup looking to add another title to their collection.
Pool A brings together hosts China, last year's runners-up France, Italy, Egypt and the Philippines, giving the home side a challenging opening path in front of their home fans.
Pool B promises one of the most competitive groups, with top-seeded Netherlands joined by Czechia, Poland, Chinese Taipei and Canada. Meanwhile, Pool D features another heavyweight lineup, with United States and Japan joined by Kenya, Slovenia and Australia.
Last year's third-place team, Spain, lead Pool C, which also have African sides Uganda and Madagascar alongside Latvia and Tonga.
Pool A: China, France, Italy, Egypt, Philippines
Pool B: Netherlands, Czechia, Poland, Chinese Taipei, Canada
Pool C: Spain, Latvia, Uganda, Tonga, Madagascar
Pool D: United States, Japan, Kenya, Slovenia, Australia
With four pools of five teams in each competition, the FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup 2026 will showcase the depth and diversity of young 3x3 basketball talent from around the globe. The pool phase will set the stage for the knockout rounds, where the pressure will rise and the next FIBA 3x3 U23 World Cup champions will be crowned.
Wuhan now prepares to welcome the future stars of 3x3 basketball, with national pride, global recognition and a world title on the line.
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.
FIBA