All you need to know about the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017 teams

CAIRO (FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017) - The basketball world converges on Cairo from 1-9 July for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017 - the first FIBA global event on African soil. Sixteen countries will start the tournament with dreams of hoisting the trophy at the Cairo Stadium Indoor Halls Complex - like the United States did in 2015 in Crete. Here is a brief glimpse at each of the teams broken down in their groups.

Group A

Argentina
Argentina have only missed one FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup (in 1987) but they only made it to Cairo 2017 as the replacement for the suspended Brazilian federation. Argentina, who finished fifth at FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2016, have two U19 podium finishes - taking third in 1979 and 1991.

France
France have been unable to play a regular role at this competition, last playing in the event in 2009. The French come to Cairo as the reigning European U18 champions - the last time they did that was in 2006 with the generation that took third place at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2007.

Korea
Korea are making their fourth straight appearance at the event and sixth in the last seven. The Koreans are close to overtaking China at the youth level as China are sitting at home for this tournament and Korea also beat their rivals at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2016 for a best-ever eighth place.

New Zealand
New Zealand are the only team in the Cairo field to have qualified for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for the first time. The Junior Tall Blacks are making their second appearance in the competition but they were hosts in 2009. New Zealand are hoping to more than just make up the numbers as they bounced Australia in the FIBA U18 Oceania Championship 2016.  

Group B

Egypt
Egypt have become the powerhouse in African youth basketball, appearing in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for the fourth time in the last five events. The Egyptians also stepped up and are organizing the event - the first time a FIBA youth men's competition is taking place on African soil. Egypt will be counting on the support of the local fans in Cairo.

Germany
Germany have been making major strides in developing young talent and the evidence is their first appearance at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup since 1987 after finishing fourth at FIBA U18 European Championship 2016. Germany are stacked with talent and could compete for a first-ever podium finish. 

Lithuania
The 2011 champions Lithuania are back at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup after missing the 2015 edition. Before that, the European powers had collected three podium finishes over a five-tournament stretch between 2003 and 2013. Lithuania enter Cairo 2017 as the European U18 runners-up and have potential to reach the podium again.

Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico have made their way back to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for the first time since 2009. When Puerto Rico have played at the U19 global event, they have performed well, with three top-eight showings in their five appearances, including sixth place in 2003 and 2009. 

Group C

Canada
One of the most impressive talent factories in the world at the moment, Canada will be missing a number of top players but still have major chances for their first podium. Appearing in their sixth straight FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, Canada's problem has been the Quarter-Finals - their exit in three of the last four editions.

Japan
Japan return to the U19 global stage for the first time since 1999 and come to Cairo 2017 with a couple of interesting talents. The Japanese - not too far removed from being on a FIBA suspension - took second place at FIBA U18 Asia Championship 2016 and are looking to make waves at the world level.

Mali
Mali have slowly built themselves up to the third power in African basketball behind Egypt and Angola. Mali are back at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for the first time since 2007. Mali last summer debuted at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup and the U19 team is looking to win more than just one game - as they did in 2007.

Spain
Spain claimed their one FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup title in 1999 with some of the greats of Spanish basketball - Juan Carlos Navarro, Felipe Reyes and Pau Gasol. Spain continue to be among the elite in the world, playing at the tournament for the fifth time in the last six editions. 

Group D

Angola
Angola are making their first appearance at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup since 2009 after winning the FIBA U18 Africa Championship last summer for first time since 1988. Angola's golden generation are out to confirm their African title on the world level. 

Iran
Iran snapped China's three-tournament long hold on the FIBA U18 Asia Championship by winning the 2016 continental title in thrilling fashion at home to make their third straight appearance at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup. Iran lost twice during group play and then went through China, Korea and Japan in consecutive games to earn their third U18 crown. 

Italy
Italy are making back-to-back appearances at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for the first time since 1995. That was the end of Italy's top run in the competition as they finished third in 1987 and second in 1991. Italy surprised some by finishing third at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016. And now the Italians want more hardware.

United States
The record six-time winners are the only country to appear at all 13 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cups. The Americans head into Cairo 2017 as the two-time reigning champions - in which they went undefeated en route to the title both times. The USA's last loss dates back to the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2011 against Russia in the Quarter-Finals.

FIBA