SYDNEY (Australia) - The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournaments will soon swing into action and there are plenty of interesting key numbers to watch out for.

Here's just a selection of some of those to be aware of.

12  teams to be confirmed for Sydney

Yes, this is the most important number of all, because once these Qualifying Tournaments are in the books, we will have the confirmed 12 nation field for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 in Sydney later this year. Thye countdown to the flagship will truly begin when we know who will be stepping out on the Gold Coast.

2 nations looking to confirm a FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup debut

Mali and Bosnia and Herzegovina are the only nations that have not yet reached the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup previously. The latter is awaiting formal confirmation due to the withdrawl of Belarus in Osaka, while Mali must get the business done in Belgrade. The Africans are looking to make history and a win against familiar foes and group rivals Nigeria could be their best chance of delivering.

14 scheduled games across 3 Continents

Fans can almost enjoy an around the clock festival of women's ball, since there are 14 games due to take place, across three Continents. So make sure you get your time zone knowledge in good shape because that could be a difference-maker in getting to see all the action. Another great way to make sure you don't miss a beat is to follow #FIBAWWC across social channels. 

2  previous gold medalists participating

There will be two former FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup champions hitting the hard wood in the Tournaments and speciifcally in Washington DC. Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd both took gold at the last edition. 

17 year-old Maimouna Haidara is likely to be the youngest player stepping out 

While the formal rosters will be announced on the eve of the Qualifying Tournaments, it's likely that she will get the nod and become the youngest baller out there. While there's been a lot of focus on another teenage talent from Mali in the shape of Sika Kone, there is big potential in Haidara also who is two years yoiunger but showed her potential last year at the FIBA Women's U19 Basketball World Cup when catapulting her country to a historic place in the Semi-Finals. She was then rewarded with a place on the senior team for the subsequent FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2021 when Mai landed silver. 

39 year-old Erika De Souza should be the oldest player hitting the court

Waving the veteran flag with real pride will be the near 40-year-old Brazilian center who has done so much for her country downt he years and could this be one last swansong on the global stage? Or, can she inspire her team to what could be argued might be a surprise ticket to Sydney? Her experience and quality will be vital!

411,000 Kelsey Plum Instagram followers

It's a big number for sure and in these current social media dominated ages, the kudos of having such a massive following is quite something. The USA guard trumps all other ballers expected to taker part and maybe some super showings could enhance her profile even further and nudge @KelseyPlum10 towards that magic half a million milestone! A chunk of her populairty has been cemented paying 3x3 for USA, including at Tokyo 2020. 

218 days to countdown

Between the curtain falling on the Qualifying Tournaments this Sunday and the big tip-off in September in Sydney, we will all have plenty of days to tick off as the countdown to the biggest date in the 2022 women's basketball calendar continues! 

FIBA