Ahmedabad, India | 13–23 August 2026
Ahmedabad is set to become the centre of Asian basketball as India prepares to host the prestigious FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 from 13 to 23 August 2026. The championship will be organized by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) in association with FIBA Asia, the Government of Gujarat, and the Gujarat State Basketball Association.
The continental tournament will feature the 16 best U18 men’s national teams from Asia and Oceania, competing for the Asian championship title and a place in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2027.
India’s successful bid to host the championship highlights the country’s growing basketball ecosystem and its ability to organize major international sporting events. The tournament is expected to provide a significant boost to the sport while giving Indian fans the opportunity to witness some of the brightest young basketball talents from across the continent.
16 Nations Ready for Asian Basketball Showdown
The participating teams in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 are:
Australia, Bahrain, China, Chinese Taipei, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Lebanon, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Thailand.
The teams have been divided into four groups:
Group A: Australia, Chinese Taipei, Philippines, Thailand
Group B: New Zealand, Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria
Group C: China, Iran, Qatar, Sri Lanka
Group D: Korea, Japan, India, Kazakhstan
Tournament Schedule
The competition will begin with the Group Phase from 13–18 August 2026.
The knockout stages will follow:
- 19 August: Rest Day
- 20 August: Qualification to Quarter-Finals
- 21 August: Quarter-Finals
- 22 August: Semi-Finals and Classification Games
- 23 August: Final and Classification Matches
India’s Challenge in Group D
Hosts India have been placed in Group D, where they will face tough opponents Korea, Japan, and Kazakhstan. The young Indian squad will look to make the most of home advantage and secure progress to the knockout stage of the championship.
A Historic Moment for Indian Basketball
The hosting of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup marks another important milestone for Indian basketball. The tournament will showcase the future stars of Asian basketball and further strengthen India’s position as a destination for international sporting events.
The Basketball Federation of India is working closely with FIBA Asia and other stakeholders to ensure a world-class experience for teams, officials, media representatives, and fans.
With ten days of high-intensity international basketball action lined up, Ahmedabad is set to witness a celebration of youth talent, competition, and the growing popularity of basketball in India.
