MIAMI (United States) – The 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup tips off on July 1st and tons of great action awaits with four daily games in play. The games on opening day will give us a glimpse of where everyone is at and who could become a potential surprise against the tournament's favorites: the defending champions United States, plus Canada, Puerto Rico and Brazil.

These are the Group Stage games you won't want to miss:

Dominican Republic vs. Puerto Rico

July 2nd
17:40 local time (GMT -6)

The boricuas have dominated this particular matchup for a while, but every time these teams go head-to-head, regardless of the circumstances, it turns into derby. The Dominicans will try to keep their pride intact by besting their Caribbean rivals in Group A. The most recent game between them was during the 2022 Centrobasket Group Stage, where Puerto Rico prevailed by a score of 87-68.

Cuba vs. Venezuela

July 3rd
12:10 local time (GMT -6)

Two teams trying to rise in the region. Cuba is one of the continent's heavyweights but is currently going through a dry spell and rebuilding. Right now, they're at a similar level than Venezuela. This Group B matchup could decide which one advances to the quarterfinals. The last time they faced each other in a Women's AmeriCup was in 2013 (Xalapa, Mexico), with Cuba winning 82-72.

Brazil vs. Argentina

July 3rd
14:40 local time (GMT -6)

The South American derby never disappoints and this time, in Group A, things won't be any different  -especially after their last matchup. Brazil and Argentina went head-to-head in the South American Championship final last year in San Luis, Argentina, where the Brazilians silenced the home crowd with a late bucket to snatch the title away from the host country. Both teams will also feature the return of key players who missed the tournament last year: Damiris Dantas (Brazil) and Florencia Chagas (Argentina).

Puerto Rico vs. Canada

July 3rd
20:10 local time (GMT -6)

Puerto Rico has improved so much in recent years that they're starting to threaten Canada, one of the region's most dominant squads. At 2021 Women's AmeriCup, they even beat them in the semifinals. Canada then avenged the loss in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup in Australia, so this could be a sort of rubber match between them.

USA vs. Brazil

July 4th
14:40 local time (GMT -6)

These are the 2 winningest teams in the history of the tournament (Brazil has 5 titles while USA has four, just like Cuba) and the ones with the most pedigree. Every time they go against each other, it's a game to follow because of everything it represents. In the most recent edition in 2021, the North Americans (defending Olympic, World and continental champions) validated their supremacy by beating Brazil in the semifinals. This time Brazil has another year of experience, while USA, just like in the last AmeriCup, brings a brand-new squad full of young NCAA players. Could the Brazilians pull the upset in Group A?

Colombia vs. Mexico

July 5th
20:10 local time (GMT -6)

This Group B matchup could decide who advances to the quarterfinals or even who has an easier path in that instance. Recently, Colombia has been on the rise after consecutive 5th place finishes in Women's AmeriCup, while Mexico (who didn’t play in the previous edition) will hope the home crowd will lift them to a great showing and hopefully a win against the up-and-coming Colombian squad.

FIBA