The number of teams has been increased from 16 to 24. With this decision, FIBA reacted to the improved level of play on a global level and the fact that basketball is the most widespread indoor team sport around the world.
Most countries have qualified through the 5 continental championships in summer 2005, but 4 countries had received a wild card from FIBA.
For one team, there will be a special task: after the disappointing sixth place in Indianapolis, and a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the USA will try everything the regain the position as the dominating basketball power over the past 5 decades. But it needs their best to fulfill that mission….
FIBA World Championship - One World - One Title: Event Outline
The FIBA World Championship is played every 4 years and determines the best basketball nation of the world. The first World Championship was played in 1950 in Argentina and has since then been organised 14 times.
The 2006 edition will be played in Japan from 19th August until 3rd September in five different cities.
The following 24 teams will compete in the event:
| Angola Argentina Australia Brazil China France Germany Greece |
Italy Japan Lebanon Lithuania New Zealand Nigeria Panama Puerto Rico |
Qatar Senegal Serbia & Montenegro Slovenia Spain Turkey Venezuela USA |
The teams will play against each other in the preliminary phase in four groups of 6 teams. The 4 top teams from each group will then qualify directly for the Eighth-Finals, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals.
All the games from the Eighth-Finals to the Finals will be played on a one-game elimination basis.
