FIBA World Cup 2023 groups: A close look at the group stages

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The 19th edition of the FIBA World Cup will take place from August 25th to September 10th in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. As the 32 national basketball teams prepare to battle hard for the right to be named World Champions here is a more detailed look at each of the 8 groups of the FIBA World Cup group stage. We also give you our predictions of who will make it through to the next FIBA World Cup group phase.

FIBA World Cup group stage brief

There will be eight groups, comprised of four teams, lettered from A to H. Every team plays against the three other teams in their group for a total of 48 games (three games per team, six games per group).
The top two teams from each group qualify for the second round, while the bottom two teams from each group play in the Classification Round for places 17-32.

Groups A and B will play in the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, the Philippines, while C and D will also be in Manila at the Mall of Asia Arena. Groups E and F have the luxury of playing at the Okinawa Arena, Japan while finally, Groups G and H will be at Jakarta, at the Indonesia Arena.

FIBA World Cup group A: teams and predictions

• Group A: Angola, Dominican Republic, Italy, Philippines

The highest-ranked team in this group is the FIBA-ranked 10 Italian side. None of the other teams is in the world’s top 20, with the Dominicans ranked 23rd and the other 2 teams outside the top 40. Here are the group winner odds:

Team	Odds
Italy	4/10 (1.40)
Dominican Republic	7/4 (2.75)
Philippines	20/1 (21.00)
Angola	50/1 (51.00)

Our prediction

We believe that despite having only 1 NBA player on their roster (Simone Fontecchio) the Italians will this group easily. However, we back the hosts from the Philippines to cause a minor upset and steal the 2nd spot in the group from the Dominican Republic.

FIBA World Cup group B: teams and predictions

• Group B: China, Puerto Rico, Serbia, South Sudan

Despite coming into the tournament without the services of the recently crowned NBA Champion and NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic the Serbians are still one of the main favourites to challenge for the medals. Here are the group winner odds:

Team	Odds
Serbia	7/100 (1.07)
Puerto Rico	11/1 (12.00)
China	14/1 (15.00)
South Sudan	15/1 (16.00)

Our prediction

Jokic or not we can’t see past Serbia for the top spot in this group. However, the battle for 2nd place promises to be fascinating and all of the 3 other teams have realistic chances. We think China might take 2nd place in the group as the tournament is in Asia and the Chinese are bound to have major backing + the time zone suits them.

FIBA World Cup group C: teams and predictions

• Group C: Greece, Jordan, New Zealand, USA

Team USA once again enters a FIBA World Cup as the top favourites to win it all. However, in the last World Cup in 2019, the Americans failed to even make it past the quarterfinals where France beat them. Despite having some bright young talents on their roster the Americans lack experience and it will be interesting to see how well they will start.

The Greek team will be much weaker after their superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo opted out. Could this give New Zealand a chance? Here are the odds for the group winner:

Team	Odds
USA	2/100 (1.02)
Greece	10/1 (11.00)
New Zealand	20/1 (21.00)
Jordan	40/1 (41.00)

Our prediction

We back Team USA to win this group without much trouble. After all having the likes of Brunson, Ingram and Edwards among others in their ranks should give the Americans a decisive edge. For us, the most fascinating match in this group will be Greece vs New Zealand and we predict that the winner of that particular contest will claim the 2nd spot. Our personal views are that even without Giannis the Greeks will have enough quality to progress.

FIBA World Cup group D: teams and predictions

• Group D: Egypt, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro

This is probably the closest group in our opinion with 3 of the 4 teams having realistic chances of topping the group. Jonas Valanciunas will lead the charge for the always-ambitious Lithuanians. However, the Montenegran team has another NBA star Nikola Vucevic in their ranks and it will be fascinating who will prevail when these two meet. The Mexicans, well they just play hard basketball and always compete fiercely. Here are the odds for the group winner:

Team	Odds
Lithuania	1/2 (1.50)
Montenegro	9/4 (3.25)
Mexico	13/2 (7.50)
Egypt	40/1 (41.00)

Our prediction

We fancy Montenegro’s chances to win this group. Vucevic is in his prime while Valanciunas is a veteran now and plays restricted minutes. Also, the Montenegrins have better shooters from deep.

It will be interesting to see if the Mexicans could cause an upset and beat at least one of the two Eastern European countries they will face. We’re sure they will give it a good try but we think on this occasion they will fall short.

FIBA World Cup group E: teams and predictions

• Group E: Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan

This is the group of death with all 4 teams having good players and high ambitions. That said we really like the Australian roster and with 5 NBA players likely to rotate for minutes on the court the Aussies should have an edge over the other 3 teams.

Germany will be led by Dennis Schroder, but they also have the Wagner brothers and at centre Daniel Thies. A solid team.

Finland and Japan also have NBA players in their ranks and they both would feel they stand a chance of progressing. Here are the odds for the group winner:

Team	Odds
Australia	1/2 (1.50)
Germany	2/1 (3.00)
Finland	13/2 (7.50)
Japan	50/1 (51.00)

Our prediction

We back the Australians to top this group. Their roster is very strong and we think they will be competing for the medals. The Japanese have a home advantage so that could make it interesting. Still, we think Schroder-led Germany will beat both Finland and Japan to claim the other qualifying spot.

FIBA World Cup group F: teams and predictions

• Group F: Cape Verde, Georgia, Slovenia, Venezuela

This is the group of none other but the main favourite to become MVP of the entire FIBA World Cup Luka Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks superstar will lead his Slovenia again and only getting better with each passing tournament Doncic is targeting the medals.

Slovenia might be the big favourites but we think the battle for the 2nd spot between the other 3 teams will be hugely fascinating as they all will fancy their chances. Here are the odds for the group winner:

Team	Odds
Slovenia	7/100 (1.07)
Georgia	13/2 (7.50)
Venezuela	14/1 (15.00)
Cape Verde	50/1 (51.00)

Our prediction

Slovenia will progress and likely they will do that with 3 wins. For the 2nd spot though we’re going with a minor upset as we like the grit with which Venezuela play so we give them an edge over Georgia.

FIBA World Cup group G: teams and predictions

• Group G: Brazil, Cote d’ivoire, Iran, Spain

This is the group of the defending champions Spain. They no longer can rely on the Gasol brothers, both retired, but Juancho and Willy Hernangomez are ready to take their roles as brothers in arms of the Spanish Armada. Led by Ricky Rubio Spain will feel confident they can defend their title.

Brazil are a hugely ambitious team that has lots of hard-balling players on their roster and they are ready to give the Spanish a good fight. Here are the odds for group winners:

Team	Odds
Spain	12/100 (1.12)
Brazil	9/2 (5.50)
Iran	20/1 (21.00)
Ivory Coast	50/1 (51.00)

Our prediction

We go for a bold upset in this group as we back Brazil to top it. Spain will progress for sure but we think they will struggle to deal with Brazil’s shooting from beyond the arc so we think the Brazilians could be seriously considered as group winners.

FIBA World Cup group H: teams and predictions

• Group H: Canada, France, Latvia, Lebanon

This group was shaping up to be fascinating if Kristas Porzingis was playing for Latvia. However, he is not so the star-studded rosters of Canada and France are looking good. The Canadians lost the services of the injured Jamal Murray but even without him, they have a great squad.

France would have been the main title contenders if Joel Embiid and Victor Wembanyama hadn’t backed out of the FIBA World Cup. Still, with Ruddy Gobert and Evan Fornier in their ranks, the French are a formidable force that will be targeting the medals. Here are the odds for the group winner:

Team	Odds
Canada	3/4 (1.75)
France	11/10 (2.10)
Latvia	10/1 (11.00)
Lebanon	100/1 (101.00)

Our prediction

It’s hard to see Latvia troubling France and Canada without Porzingis. However, who will prevail between these two in the battle for the top spot is anybody’s guess. Still, we like this young Canadian team and we back them to win this group.

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