The Olympic champion United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Cuba were installed in the same group of the first round of the qualifiers for the Basketball World Cup 2023.
The Americans, who have just won their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games, but finished seventh at the World Cup two years ago, met their rivals on Tuesday after the draw held at the FIBA headquarters in Mies, Switzerland.
The United States has won the world title five times, the most recent in 2014. Spain defeated Argentina in the final of the latest edition, China 2019.
A total of 80 countries will compete in the playoffs, starting with a round robin phase in which each team will face the other three twice.
The first round matches will be played in three different windows: November 20-30; March 21-March 1 and June 27-July 5.
The second round will be launched in August 2022 and will culminate in February 2023. The next World Cup will host the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, between August 25 and September 10, 2023.
As hosts, the Philippines and Japan are already assured of their presence in the 32-team lot. The other 30 places will be defined in the qualifying rounds. Indonesia will not receive a direct ticket as a host country.
THE REST OF AMERICA
The region will have 16 teams in the playoffs, divided into four groups and 12 of those countries will enter the second round. From that instance, the contingent will be refined to define the seven representatives in the World Cup. The first three of both groups of the second round will qualify, in addition to the best fourth.
In Group A, Argentina will face Venezuela, Panama and Paraguay in the first round.
Group B includes Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Chile. Group C includes Canada, the Dominican Republic, the US Virgin Islands and the Bahamas. Group D will have the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Cuba.
Spain will seek one of 12 places for Europe, facing Ukraine, Georgia and North Macedonia in the opening round.
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