WORLD CUP UPDATE

The 2019 Basketball World Cup, to be held in China, now has seven of its 32 participants confirmed.  Along with the host nation, Tunisia, Nigeria, Greece, Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Germany have secured their spots.

Here’s how the zones are shaping up.

AFRICA

Tunisia and Nigeria have already qualified, having both been undefeated in their nine matches.  Angola are second in their group, just a point ahead of Egypt and Cameroon.  In the second African group, Central African Republic and Ivory Coast are locked on thirteen points, one ahead of both Rwanda and Mali.

The second placed team in each group automatically qualifies for the World Cup, while the two third placed teams will compete for the fifth African spot.

AMERICAS

The Americas will grab seven spots at the World Cup.  There are twelve teams left in contention, split into two groups of six.  In the first group, the USA and Argentina are locked together at the top, two points ahead of Puerto Rico and Uruguay.  The USA will not play their final games until February 2019, due to the upcoming NBA season.

The second group sees Canada and Venezuela equal first, a point ahead of Brazil.  Like the USA, Canada will play their final two games in February.  The top three teams from each group receive automatic qualification, while the two fourth placed nations will play off for the seventh and final spot.  As it stands Uruguay and the Dominican Republic are fourth in their respective groups.

ASIA AND OCEANIA

The Asia and Oceania zone made headlines around the world following a disturbing brawl between players, officials and fans in a match between Australia and Philippines earlier in the tournament.  Both teams received heavy sanctions, but continue to be in with a chance of qualifying for the World Cup.  They are in the same group, but will not play again in the qualifying rounds.  Australia tops the group, a point ahead of Iran, who are a further point ahead of Philippines. 

In the other group, New Zealand are a single point ahead of Lebanon and South Korea.  The top three teams in each group receive automatic qualification, with the two fourth placed teams to battle it out for the final spot.  China, as host nation, have already qualified.

EUROPE

Europe will provide the largest contingent of teams to the World Cup, with twelve.  Germany, Greece, and Lithuania have already qualified, after each being undefeated in their eight matches.  Czech Republic have also qualified, having won seven of their eight games.

The Europe zone is split into four groups, with the top three in each advancing to the World Cup.  The first group sees Spain on top, a point ahead of Turkey.  Latvia are a further point back, just one ahead of Montenegro and Ukraine in a tightly fought competition.

The second group features unbeaten Lithuania.  Italy are in second spot, two points ahead of Poland and Hungary.  Netherlands and Croatia remain chances to sneak into the top three.  The third group has Czech Republic and France in equal first place, there points ahead of Russia and Finland, who will clash in November, and again in the last qualifier in February.

The fourth group of the Europe zone has already provided Germany and Greece as qualifiers.  The last spot will be contested between Serbia, Georgia, Israel, and Estonia.