Nigeria to face Portugal, Canada, China in FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup

By Olaolu Joseph

Nigeria has been drawn in Group B alongside Portugal, Canada, and China for the 2025 edition of the FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup.

The draw was conducted by former Czechia national team stars Ivana Vecerova and Eva Viteckova. Czech Basketball Federation President Miroslav Jansta and FIBA Central Board and Executive Committee member Carmen Tocala attended the event on Tuesday ahead of the World Cup, which will take place from July 12 to 20 in Brno, Czechia.

The 16 participating teams were divided into four groups of four teams each.

While Nigeria will face Portugal, Canada, and China, Africa’s second representative, Mali, has been placed in Group C alongside France, Australia, and Brazil.

All 16 teams will advance to the tournament’s Final Phase, with a single-elimination format starting from the Round of 16.

Teams from Group A will compete against teams from Group B based on their standings (1st vs. 4th, 2nd vs. 3rd), while teams from Group C will face teams from Group D.

Three-time defending champions USA will be aiming for an 11th title in this edition of the competition.

Four other national teams have previously won the U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, including host nation Czechia, which claimed the title in 2001 when Brno also hosted the event.

Complete Draw:

• Group A:
  USA
  Israel
  Hungary
  Korea
• Group B:
  Nigeria
  Portugal
  Canada
  China
• Group C:
  Australia
  France
  Brazil
  Mali
• Group D:
  Spain
  Czechia
  Japan
  Argentina