MIES (Switzerland) – The field for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2025 is complete. That offers the perfect chance to meet the 16 teams who will be playing in Lausanne, Switzerland from June 28 to July 6.
Argentina – 16th appearance
Argentina qualified for the 2025 global tournament by taking second place at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024. The South Americans missed only one of the first 16 editions – that coming in 1987.
But Argentina have not reached the podium since bronze in 1991, their second medal following third place in 1979. The Argentinians will likely be led by star duo of Tyler Kropp and Felipe Minzer.
Australia – 15th appearance
Australia claimed the title at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 to secure a ticket to Switzerland. The 2003 champs are back after missing out in 2023, only the second time they missed the U19 World Cup.
Australia’s other podium finish was second place in 1995. The Emus’ top players are expected to be Roman Siulepa and Dash Daniels.
Cameroon – 1st appearance
Cameroon reached their first U19 World Cup by taking second place at the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024 – their best result in the youth continental cup. Africa will be represented by a debutant for a second straight edition as Cameroon follow in the footsteps of Madagascar from 2023.
The main force for Cameroon is Italy-based center Amadou Seini as well as Hermann Bel.
Canada – 14th appearance
Canada finished third at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024 to qualify for their 10th straight U19 World Cup. The North Americans have reached the Quarter-Finals in the last six editions, winning the crown in 2017 and taking third in 2021 – their two podium finishes thus far.
Canada will likely make a number of changes from their team though Tristan Beckford and Efeosa Oliogu should be leaders in Switzerland.
China – 13th appearance
China took third place at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 to make the U19 World Cup for the 13th time. The Asians have reached back-to-back U19 World Cups for the first time since a three-edition run from 2011 to 2015.
China’s best result was seventh place in 2013. The Chinese team will feature the wing-center duo of Boyuan Zhang and Sinan Huan.
Dominican Republic – 3rd appearance
Dominican Republic snatched a spot at the FIBA U19 World Cup with a fourth-place finish at the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024.
The Americas side make their third appearance following 1983 and 2015 – taking ninth and 13th place respectively. Danny Carbuccia is the heart and soul of the team along with Lucas Morillo.
France – 8th appearance
France reached the U19 World Cup for the fifth straight time with a fifth-placed finish at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024. The French have finished on the podium at third, second and second in the last three tournaments and are hungry for their first U19 global crown.
France’s two biggest stars of the generation are Nolan Traore and Noa Essengue. The pool of players is very deep and the French will have a number of star talents on hand.
Germany – 4th appearance
Germany made history last summer by winning the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 – their first crown in the youth continental cup. That ended Germany’s U19 World Cup drought dating back to 2017 for just their second appearance since 1987.
They also played in 1983 and 1987. Germany are loaded with their leaders being Christian Anderson, Jack Kayil, Ivan Kharchenkov and Hannes Steinbach.
Israel – 1st appearance
Israel will be making their debut on the U19 global stage as they finished fourth at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 to qualify for Switzerland.
This is the first time Israel reached either of the FIBA youth World Cups. Ben Saraf won the MVP award from the U18 EuroBasket but the team also features Omer Mayer.
Jordan – 2nd appearance
Jordan grabbed fourth place at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 to reach the FIBA U19 World Cup for just the second time following 1995.
The Asians claimed 16th place in their only other appearance. Saif Al-Deen Saleh is Mr. Do-It-All for Jordan while Rawhi Zeid Kilani is also key.
Mali – 5th appearance
Mali collected the title at the FIBA U18 AfroBasket 2024 – the country’s third continental crown in the last four editions to get back to the FIBA U19 World Cup after missing out in 2023.
That ended a three-event run that included the country’s magical run to second place in 2019. Youssef Traore, Amadou Traore and Sekou Bagayoko will carry Mali in this U19 World Cup.
New Zealand – 4th appearance
New Zealand finished second at the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2024 to reach the FIBA U19 World Cup for the fourth time. The Junior Tall Blacks had missed the last two editions and are looking to improve on their best result of 11th place in 2017.
Tama Isaac and Carter Hopoi were the top players at the U18 Asia Cup but the Oceanians’ roster in Switzerland will likely include some of the leaders from the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024, where New Zealand made history by reaching the Semi-Finals.
Serbia – 8th appearance
Serbia finished runners-up at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 to reach the FIBA U19 World Cup for the fourth straight time and eighth appearance in the last 10 competitions. Serbia claimed the global crown in 2007 and were second in 2011 and 2013.
Serbia will have a number of weapons, the top one of which being Savo Drezgic along with Andrej Kostic, Aleksa Dimitrijevic and Mitar Bosnjakovic.
Slovenia – 3rd appearance
Slovenia snatched third place at the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024 to reach back-to-back U19 World Cups after having only participated before in 2003.
The Balkan side took 7th place in 2003 and 9th place in 2023. Urban Krofic will be Slovenia’s leader but also will have help from Zak Smrekar and Vit Hrabar.
Switzerland – 1st appearance
Switzerland are playing in the competition for the first time since they are hosting the event. The Swiss have never played in the FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division A although they took sixth place in Division B in 2024.
The hosts will be led by star Dayan Nessah while Andrin Njock and Lucas Maniema are other key players.
USA – 17th appearance
USA won the FIBA U18 AmeriCup 2024 – the country’s seventh straight crown in the event. USA are the only country to appear in all 17 FIBA U19 World Cups and are the record champs with 8 titles – to go with 3 silver medals and 1 bronze.
But the Americans finished just fourth in 2023. The roster is quite unclear at the moment but U18 AmeriCup MVP Darius Acuff is expected to be on board as well as Koa Peat, who this past summer won his second FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup title.
FIBA