Thirty-two selections are on the starting line, from Friday, to try to succeed Spain at the World Cup organized in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.
Fifteen days of competition, thirty-two nations involved and, in the end, a single winner: the 19th edition of the Basketball World Cup begins in three countries (Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines), Friday August 25, and will stretch until September 10, the day of the final. Bronze medalist in the last two editions, the French team is ambitious. For her entry into the running, she is opposed, Friday August 25, in Canada (3:30 p.m., French time). Franceinfo: sport sums up everything you need to know about the competition.
United States, France and Spain among the favorites
The most successful selection with five coronations (as many as the former Yugoslavia), the United States are logically among the favorites for the world crown. Eliminated in the quarter-finals by the France team in 2019 (89-79), Team USA owes revenge. However, it presents a relatively weak team compared to the many talents of the country: no superstar and only four NBA All-Stars (Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr) fill a young workforce. Absent stars, it is the lot of many nations in this competition.
American Anthony Edwards during a friendly match against Germany, in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), August 20, 2023. (GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP)
Bronze medalist in 2014 and 2019, the French team wants “the gold medal”, as assured by Rudy Gobert at the start of preparation. Despite the absence of Victor Wembanyama, she has the weapons to achieve her goal, especially since she turned into a pet peeve of the United States during the 2019 World Cup and then in the first round of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games ( 83-76).
World and European champion in title, Spain must never be neglected even if the current generation seems less talented than its predecessors. Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Llull will still be there, as will Juancho Hernangomez – executioner of the Blues in the final of Eurobasket 2022 – and his brother Willy.
Other teams can nurture ambitions like Canada and its swarm of NBA stamped players including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, RJ Barrett or Dillon Brooks even if Jamal Murray is missing. Ditto for Australia, bronze medalist at the Tokyo Games in 2021, with Patty Mills, Josh Giddey and Joe Ingles. In the absence of the two-time MVP of the North American league, Nikola Jokic, Serbia is a little behind but should never be underestimated, just like Slovenia of Luka Doncic who is present.
An (almost) perfect preparation for ambitious Blues
On the podium in its last three international competitions (bronze at the 2019 World Cup, silver at the 2021 Olympics and Euro 2022), the France team is clearly one of the contenders for the world title. “I want to win this World Cup”assumed coach Vincent Collet, at a press conference on Monday.
For that, he can count on an experienced group with the returns of Nando De Colo and Nicolas Batum who had skipped last summer. Both players have greatly contributed to the very good preparation of the Blues. They have lost just one of their seven friendlies. It was during the last match, Sunday, against Australia (78-74).
The French Rudy Gobert, Evan Fournier and Nando De Colo (from left to right) in training, in Jakarta (Indonesia), August 23, 2023. (YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP)
The preparation was unfortunately marked by the withdrawal of Frank Ntilikina. The leader suffered a thigh injury in Lithuania on August 11 as he was gaining momentum. The pivot Mathias Lessort is himself well able to hold his place but he did not play a single minute in preparation because of a sprained ankle.
To sneak as far as possible into the competition, France will not have the easy part: they will start strong from the start against Canada before a probable crossover in the second round with Spain and Brazil.
Seven tickets for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games to win
The other challenge of this 2023 World Cup lies in qualifying for the Olympic Games. In addition to France, qualified as host country, seven nations will validate their ticket for Paris 2024 at the end of the competition. Tickets will be distributed as follows: the two best-placed teams from the Americas zone and the Europe zone as well as the best team from the Africa, Asia and Oceania zones.
Three host countries to accommodate 32 teams
For the first time in history, the Basketball World Cup is being played in three different countries: Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. For the second consecutive edition (after 2019), it is played in a format with 32 selections. In the first round, they will be divided into eight groups of four teams. Four pools will evolve in Manila (Philippines) in two different halls: the Arenata Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena. Only the two opening matches will take place at the Philippine Arena, the largest hall in the world in terms of capacity (55,000 seats). Two groups will play respectively in Okinawa (Japan) and Jakarta (Indonesia).
To qualify for the second round, teams must finish in the top two places of their preliminary round group. They will then meet with the two qualified teams from the other group playing in the same room for two additional matches. A classification is made by keeping the three results of the first round as well as the two matches of the second round. The first two nations of the four groups qualify for the quarter-finals. The final phase, which is played in full in Manila, is then a direct elimination until the title is awarded on Sunday, September 10.
The schedule and TV broadcast of the Blues
August 25 (3:30 p.m. French time): France – Canada
August 27 (3:30 p.m.): France – Latvia
August 29 (11:45 a.m.): France – Lebanon
All the matches of the France team will be broadcast on BeIN Sports. In the event of qualification for the quarter-finals, the final phase will be broadcast on France Télévisions.
