BAKU (Azerbaijan) - Desperate teams will do battle as they bid to be part of this year's biggest event with anticipation heightened after the pools for the FIBA 3x3 World Cup Qualifier 2025 on May 24-25 were revealed.
Twelve teams - six in each gender - will compete for the last three men's and women's tickets to the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2025, which will take place in fan favorite Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on June 23-29.
It is the first World Cup since 2023 due to the Paris Olympics being held last year.
The participating teams in Baku, the capital of emerging 3x3 nation Azerbaijan, include the hosts (Azerbaijan), the best teams in the FIBA 3x3 Federation Ranking which have not yet qualified for the World Cup and the Zone Cup runner-ups from the 2024 season.
In the men's, Montenegro have top billing and with good reason as they boast scoring machine Milos Jovanovic, who was part of Hangzhou's (CHN) semi-final run at the recent Chengdu Masters.
Montenegro start as favorite in Pool A but will face tough opposition against Africa Cup runner-up Rwanda and Asia Cup 2024 runner-up Iran.
Pool B is also mighty competitive with No.2 seed Canada set to be locked in major battles against Great Britain and host Azerbaijan, who will be fired up from the support of their passionate fans in the bleachers.
Men's Pool A: Montenegro, Rwanda, Iran Pool B: Canada, Great Britain, Azerbaijan
In the women's, top seed Chile will have big dreams in Baku and their chances of qualifying to the World Cup look strong with star Ziomara Morrison boasting plenty of big game experience.
Chile face in Pool A compatriots Brazil, who have reached the podium at all four AmeriCups, and Chinese Taipei, an underdog team more than capable of defying the odds having showcased plenty of grit during a runner-up finish at Asia Cup 2024.
No.2 seed Latvia are a famous 3x3 nation and they will be in a highly competitive Pool B against Azerbaijan, who inspired their nation so memorably after a stirring effort at the Paris Olympics. Alexandra Mollenhauer and Dina Ulyanova return having gained invaluable Olympic experience and they will be determined to once again be heroes in front of their compatriots.
African powerhouse Egypt will enter with plenty of confidence in this loaded group that is difficult to predict. Women's
Pool A: Chile, Chinese Taipei, Brazil Pool B: Latvia, Azerbaijan, Egypt
FIBA