Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Canadian national basketball team is confirmed to play in Indonesia in the group stage of the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup 2023 based on the results of discussions between the FIBA ​​Council and host organizers.

In a written statement from FIBA ​​via its official website, it was clarified that the three co-hosts, namely the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, have chosen the teams of their choice to compete in the group stage. in their respective countries.

Each host has the right to choose the team of their choice based on business reasons. But the election will not affect the group drawing process which will only take place in April 2023 in Manila, Philippines.

Apart from Canada, who are currently ranked 15th in the world, Indonesia will also have two other teams that will later make it into the top eight of the FIBA ​​Rankings for group stage matches.

Bringing the best teams in the world to Indonesia is one of the missions of the Indonesian Basketball Association (PP Perbasi) to attract spectators to watch the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup even if it doesn’t there is no Indonesian national team.

Despite being the hosts, Indonesia will not participate in the 2023 World Cup as the Red and White team failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the FIBA ​​Asia Cup 2022 last July. Therefore, the arrival of the best teams in Indonesia is considered important for the World Cup in Jakarta to still be lively even without the appearance of the Garuda team.

Canada has several players who have floored in the NBA. They include Andrew Wiggins who took the Golden State Warriors to the 2022 NBA Championship, Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort (Oklahoma City Thunder), RJ Barret (New York Knicks), Dillon Brooks (Memphis Grizzlies) , and Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks).

However, it is uncertain whether NBA players will strengthen the Canadian national team at the 2023 World Cup as Canada has yet to reveal the roster and roster for the championship to be held on 25 next August.

Besides Indonesia, which is confirmed to bring Canada, the Philippines have also chosen their team of choice, namely the United States to play in their country, while Japan asked Slovenia to play in Okinawa.

The FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup 2023 involving 32 countries will be held from August 25 to September 10. Indonesia co-hosted the Philippines and Japan.

The capital, Manila, in the Philippines, will host the preliminary round matches of all four groups, from the second round until the final round.

Meanwhile, Okinawa and Jakarta will each host the preliminary rounds of the two groups as well as the second round.

The Philippines as a whole will host 16 teams from participating countries, while Japan and Indonesia will host 8 teams each.

This news was also published on Antaranews.com with the title: Canada confirmed to play in Indonesia at FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup 2023