The world’s best young 3×3 basketball players will converge in Wuhan, China, for the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup from September 15-19.
20 teams will compete in each of the men’s and women’s competitions, with Lithuania and the Netherlands defending their respective world titles and the Philippines carrying Southeast Asia’s hopes after qualifying for both.
It marks the first time the country will have both teams competing at the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup following successful qualification campaigns in Malaysia earlier this year.
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The women’s team secured their place through the FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League Asia SEA Conference in Petaling Jaya in August, where qualification went down to the sixth and final stop.
The Philippines needed a strong finish and delivered by defeating Chinese Taipei 17-15 in the final, overturning a four-point deficit in the closing minute behind six unanswered points from Amyah Espanol.
That victory gave the Filipinas their third stop title of the campaign and lifted them to the top of the overall standings with 510 points, 30 ahead of Chinese Taipei, to secure their ticket to Wuhan and their second consecutive appearance on the world stage.
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The men’s route to the World Cup was equally impressive.
Competing in the separate FIBA 3×3 Youth Nations League Asia 2 U21 Conference in July, the Philippines reached five of the six finals and won three stops to finish top of the standings with 520 points, ahead of Japan on 470.
Their qualification also marked a long-awaited return to the U23 World Cup, with the Philippines having last competed in the men’s tournament at the inaugural edition in 2018.
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Attention will now turn to the pool stage in Wuhan, where both Philippine teams will face four opponents in their respective groups as they attempt to reach the knockout rounds.
The women are drawn in Pool A alongside France, Italy, Egypt and hosts China, while the men will compete in Pool B against New Zealand, Spain, Egypt and Latvia.
Watch the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup live on SPOTV NOW from September 15-19.
| Game | Round | Date & Time (UTC+8) |
|---|---|---|
| France vs Philippines | Women’s Pool A | September 15 @ 2:25PM |
| Philippines vs Italy | Women’s Pool A | September 15 @ 7:00PM |
| New Zealand vs Philippines | Men’s Pool B | September 16 @ 10:50AM |
| Philippines vs Spain | Men’s Pool B | September 16 @ 1:45PM |
| Egypt vs Philippines | Women’s Pool A | September 17 @ 6:20PM |
| Philippines vs China | Women’s Pool A | September 17 @ 9:15PM |
| Egypt vs Philippines | Men’s Pool B | September 18 @ 11:15AM |
| Philippines vs Latvia | Men’s Pool B | September 18 @ 1:20PM |
