Turkey’s U17 Basketball National Team Set for FIBA U17 World Cup 2026 in Istanbul

Turkey’s U17 Basketball National Team has secured a spot in the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026, set to take place from June 27 to July 5 at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center in Istanbul. The tournament will feature 16 teams from across the globe, with the Turkish squad aiming to build on their strong performance in the 2024 FIBA Europe Under-17 Championship.

According to the FIBA official website, the 2026 edition of the event will mark the second time Turkey hosts the competition, following the 2010 FIBA U17 World Cup in Istanbul. The tournament’s format includes a group stage followed by knockout rounds, with the final scheduled for July 5.

The Turkish team qualified for the World Cup after winning the 2024 FIBA Europe Under-17 Championship, where they finished first with a 7-1 record. This achievement earned them a direct berth to the global tournament, as per FIBA’s qualification rules.

What is the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2026?

The FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup is a biennial international tournament for men’s national teams of players under the age of 17. The 2026 edition, hosted in Istanbul, will bring together 16 teams from six continents. The event is organized by FIBA, the international governing body for basketball.

The tournament will be held at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center, a state-of-the-art facility in Istanbul that has hosted multiple international youth basketball events. The venue, which opened in 2019, features multiple courts, training facilities, and seating for over 3,000 spectators.

FIBA confirmed the 16 participating nations in a press release dated March 2025. The list includes teams from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. The exact matchups and group stage schedules will be announced closer to the tournament date.

How Did Turkey Qualify for the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup?

Turkey’s qualification journey began with their performance in the 2024 FIBA Europe Under-17 Championship, held in Riga, Latvia. The Turkish team, coached by Murat Akın, finished first in the group stage with a 7-1 record, securing a spot in the knockout rounds. They advanced to the final after defeating Spain in the semifinals and then clinched the title by beating France in the championship game.

The victory marked Turkey’s first-ever FIBA Europe Under-17 Championship title, a milestone that earned them automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. “This win is a testament to the hard work of our players and coaches,” said Turkish Basketball Federation president Erdal Eren in a statement. “We are excited to represent our country on the global stage.”