USAcurrent Olympic champion, will once again seek Olympic glory in balloon female achieving its fourth consecutive title in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022in Sydney (Australia), from September 22 to October 1.
However, the United States will have to face the ambitions of 11 other teams: Australia, Canada, Japan, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Mali, Serbia, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium and Puerto Rico.
In addition to the world title, the 2022 World Cup offers the champion team to secure a coveted place for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Here you will find everything you need to know about the championship.
READ MORE: How to qualify in basketball for Paris 2024
Women’s Basketball World Cup: format and program
A total of 12 teams will compete in 38 matches from September 22 to October 1, 2022 in Sydney, Australia.
The draw for the group stage took place on March 3, and two groups of six teams were formed. These are:
Group A
- Belgium
- People’s Republic of China
- Bosnia y Herzegovina
- Puerto Rico
- Republic of Korea
- USA
Group B
- France
- Serbia
- Japan
- Mali
- Canada
- Australia
In each group, everyone will face everyone for six days. Those teams that finish the group stage in the top four will advance to the quarterfinals. The rival in the first round of eliminations will depend on their position in the classification.
After the quarterfinals, the two semi-finals will take place, with the final taking place on October 1.
Read on to see the day-by-day tournament schedule.
All times are shown in Sydney local time (Australian Eastern Time, UTC +10). Keep in mind that Puerto Rico is 14 hours behind Sydney.
Thursday, September 22
Group A
10:30 BIH v PUR – Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
11:30 USA v BEL – Sydney Superdome
17:30 KOR v CHN – Sydney Superdome
Group B
13:00 CAN v SRB – Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
14:00 JPN v MLI – Sydney Superdome
20:30 AUS at FRA – Sydney Superdome
Friday, September 23
Group A
10:30 PUR v USA – Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
13:00 BEL v KOR – Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
14:30 CHN in BIH – Sydney Superdome
Group B
12:00 SRB v JPN – Sydney Superdome
18:00 FRA v CAN – Sydney Superdome
20:30 MLI in AUS – Sydney Superdome
Saturday, September 24
Group A
14:30 USA in CHN – Sydney Superdome
6:00pm BIH v KOR – Sydney Superdome
20:30 PUR v BEL – Sydney Superdome
Group B
Day of rest
Sunday, September 25
Group A
Day of rest
Group B
14:30 MLI at FRA – Sydney Superdome
6pm AUS at SRB – Sydney Superdome
20:30 JPN v CAN – Sydney Superdome
Monday, September 26
Group A
11:30 BEL v BIH – Sydney Superdome
14:00 KOR in USA – Sydney Superdome
17:30 CHN v PUR – Sydney Superdome
Group B
13:30 SRB v MLI – Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
16:00 FRA v JPN – Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
20:30 AUS v CAN – Sydney Superdome
Tuesday, September 27
Group A
11:30 PUR v KOR – Sydney Superdome
13:30 CHN v BEL – Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
14:00 USA in BIH – Sydney Superdome
Group B
16:00 MLI v CAN – Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre
17:30 SRB at FRA – Sydney Superdome
20:30 AUS at JPN – Sydney Superdome
Thursday, September 29
12:00 Quarter Final 1 – Sydney Superdome
14:30 Quarter Final 2 – Sydney Superdome
18:00 Quarter Final 3 – Sydney Superdome
20:30 Quarter Final 4 – Sydney Superdome
Friday, September 30
17:00 Semifinal 1 – Sydney Superdome
19:30 Semifinal 2- Sydney Superdome
Saturday, October 1
1:00pm Bronze Match – Sydney Superdome
16:00 Final – Sydney Superdome
Women’s Basketball World Cup: Players to Watch
Breanna Stewart
As reigning world and Olympic champions, the United States team will arrive in Sydney as one of the favorites to win the tournament this year.
The team, which has historically achieved 10 world titles and nine Olympic gold medals, is based on the perfect blend of youth and experience.
In a template full of stars, one especially stands out: Breanna Stewart.
Three-time USA Women’s Basketball Player of the Year, the 28-year-old center has an impressive record when wearing her national team’s jersey.
Since first being called up to the senior team in 2013, she has helped the United States win gold at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 (14-0) and at the 2014 and 2018 FIBA World Cups (12- 0).
At the 2018 World Cup in Tenerife, Stewart was chosen as the MVP of the tournament, something she also achieved at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Breanna Stewart after winning her second Olympic gold medal with the United States.
Foto por 2021 Getty Images
Jonquel Jones
Some say that she is the best female basketball player on the planet, and what is certain is that Jonquel Jones will be under the gaze of all in Sydney.
Jones, who was born in the Bahamas, received dual nationality from Bosnia and Herzegovina and began playing for this team in 2019.
Since joining the team, the Eastern European nation has qualified for both the EuroBasket and the World Cup for the first time in history. And she had a lot to do with it.
For example, in the World Cup qualifying tournament earlier this year, Jones had 36 points and 23 rebounds to secure an 87-82 victory over Olympic runner-up Japan.
Although Bosnia and Herzegovina could start the tournament without Jones, he is hopeful that when the 2021 WNBA MVP arrives, he will do so in top form.
Jonquel Jones is a key player for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Connecticut Sun.
Foto por 2022 Getty Images
Lauren Jackson
Australia, champions in 2016 and runners-up in 2018, will be looking to capitalize on playing on home soil at this World Cup.
And if the team was looking for a sign that now is the time to beat the giant United States, this is the return of Lauren Jackson to the template.
The 41-year-old, already in the WNBA Hall of Fame, has returned from retirement looking to write a new chapter in what has already been a stellar career. To date, the center has won two WNBA championships with the Seattle Storm in 2004 and 2010; she has won titles in the national leagues of Australia, Spain and Russia; she has been awarded the WNBA MVP four times; and she has in her possession three silver medals and one bronze at the Olympic Games.
Jackson retired in 2016 after suffering from ongoing knee injuries. During his retirement, he had two children, before announcing his return to the slopes.
Lauren Jackon will return to international basketball courts at home at the 2022 World Cup in Sydney.
Foto por 2012 Getty Images
Latest FIBA Women’s World Cup Winning Teams
2018 – United States
2014 – United States
2010 – United States
2006 – Australia
2002 – United States
1998 – United States
1994 – Brazil
1990 – United States
