MIES (Switzerland) - The field for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026 is now set, so let's take a look at each of the 16 teams and how they have performed in past competitions.
From teams who hope to challenge seven-time undefeated champions United States to three first-timers, here is what you need to know about the nations who will show up in Istanbul, Türkiye starting on June 27.
Australia - 8th appearance
Australia have never missed the FIBA U17 World Cup with back-to-back second-placed finishes in 2012 and 2014. But the Crocs have not won in the Quarter-Finals since then, even crashing to 15th place in the 2024 edition. Australia rolled to their fourth consecutive FIBA U16 Asia Cup title, beating China 85-58 in the 2025 Final in Ulaanbaatar.
Cameroon - 1st appearance
Cameroon's youth push continues as they finished second at the FIBA U16 AfroBasket 2025 to qualify for the FIBA U17 World Cup for the first-ever ever. Cameroon earlier this summer made their debut in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup and then were playing in the U16 AfroBasket for the first time in history, beating Mali in the Semi-Finals to reach the Final and then losing to Côte d'Ivoire.
Canada - 8th appearance
Canada have never missed the FIBA U17 World Cup and they booked their eighth straight ticket as they finished second at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025. The Canadians finished third in the first FIBA U17 World Cup in 2010 but have not reached the podium since then. They took fourth in 2018 and failed to make the Quarter-Finals for the only time in 2022 for ninth place.
China - 7th appearance
China finished second in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025 - losing to Australia - to secure their seventh spot at the FIBA U17 World Cup, missing only in 2022. China took seventh place in the first three FIBA U17 World Cups but their best result since then was 10th place in 2016.
Côte d'Ivoire - 1st appearance
Côte d'Ivoire became the second straight team to win the FIBA U16 AfroBasket title for the first time to secure their first ticket to the FIBA U17 World Cup following Guinea in 2023. Côte d'Ivoire were playing in their fifth U16 AfroBasket and finally broke through for the podium for the first time, beating record champions Egypt in the Semi-Finals and then Cameroon in the Final.
France - 7th appearance
France are making their seventh straight appearance as they fought through to take fifth place at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025, knocking off Latvia to get back to the global stage. France took second place in 2018 and then were third in 2022 before crashing out to 9th place in 2024 as they were shocked in the Round of 16 by Puerto Rico.
Italy - 3rd appearance
Italy will be playing in the FIBA U17 World Cup for the third time after 2014 and 2024. The Italians shockingly reached the Final in 2024 after losing their first two games of the tournament. They were beaten by USA in the title game. Italy beat France in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025 to reach the U17 World Cup and ended up in fourth place.
Japan - 3rd appearance
Japan will be returning to the FIBA U17 World Cup after missing out on the event in 2024, playing previously in 2014 and 2022. The Asians finished 14th in both cadet global events. Japan reached the U17 World Cup by taking fourth place at the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025, beating Chinese Taipei in the Quarter-Finals.
Lithuania - 6th appearance
Lithuania booked their spot for the FIBA U17 World Cup for the sixth time and third straight event. They reached the Quarter-Finals four times but only have one podium finish to show - third place in 2016. The Lithuanians beat Spain in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025 to reach the U17 World Cup and then knocked off Italy in the Semi-Finals before losing to Serbia in the Final.
New Zealand - 4th appearance
New Zealand have now reached the FIBA U17 World Cup for the fourth consecutive event. They famously reached the Semi-Finals of the 2024 edition, matching the country's fourth-place finish at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2002 for the nation's best ever finish on a global stage. New Zealand beat Iran in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2025 before losing to China in the Semi-Finals. But they bounced back in a thrilling Third Place Game against Japan to reach the podium for the fourth time in four U16 Asia Cup events.
Puerto Rico - 4th appearance
Puerto Rico reached the FIBA U17 World Cup for the fourth time and back-to-back for the first time. They beat Argentina in the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025 Quarter-Finals to book their ticket and ended up losing to United States and Venezuela for fourth place. Puerto Rico have reached the Quarter-Finals of all three FIBA U17 World Cup appearances, including taking third place in 2018.
Serbia - 5th appearance
Serbia have locked up a spot in Istanbul for their fifth appearance after missing out in 2024. The country grabbed a podium spot one time, finishing third in 2014. Serbia also have two fifth placed results - 2010 and 2022. Serbia will be coming to the FIBA U17 World Cup as the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025 champions, beating Lithuania in the Final.
Slovenia - 2nd appearance
Slovenia have reached the cadet global championship for the second time, their other showing coming when they took seventh place in 2022. Slovenia grabbed a spot at the FIBA U17 World Cup by finishing third at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025, losing to Serbia in the Semi-Finals and then bouncing back to defeat Italy for the final spot on the podium.
Türkiye - 4th appearance
The host nation FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026, Türkiye are hosting the event for a second straight edition as they finished third in 2024. This will be their fourth appearance and they also reached the podium with a second placed result in 2016. Türkiye placed seventh at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2025.
USA - 8th appearance
United States have never missed the FIBA U17 World Cup and they have never lost a game with seven straight undefeated titles starting in 2010. USA also have never lost a game at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup, dating back to 2009.
Venezuela - 1st appearance
Venezuela will be debuting on the global stage at the FIBA U17 World Cup after they grabbed third place at the FIBA U16 AmeriCup 2025, beating Dominican Republic in the Quarter-Finals and then losing to Canada in the Semi-Finals but knocking off Puerto Rico for the podium. It was Venezuela's first top-three finish as they qualified for the continental event for the first time since 2017.
FIBA