ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia) - After two years, the wait is almost over as excitement goes into overdrive for the FIBA 3x3 World Cup 2025. There are 40 teams arriving in Mongolia's historic capital of Ulaanbaatar hoping to be crowned world champions and their dreams will be on the line at the ninth edition of 3x3's showpiece event.
Where can I watch? The action runs from June 23-29, and you can follow it on the FIBA 3x3 YouTube channel although geo restrictions might apply with the event broadcast on television in some countries. Who is competing? There are a whopping 40 teams – 20 per gender – competing in Ulaanbaatar, who qualified through being hosts (Mongolia), winning a Zone Cup from the previous year or by claiming a ticket at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup Qualifier 2025. What are the pools?
Who are the favorites?
It's the World Cup, so this is the best of the best on the planet. But we're going to challenge ourselves and limit it to the four teams we think will make the final four of each gender.
In the men's, obviously this list would be mocked endlessly if we didn't start with Serbia. Unless you have lived under a rock, you will know that Serbia have owned this event since day dot when they claimed the first title in 2012.
They've basically kept winning ever since having amazingly won six of eight overall, including thrilling triumphs in 2022-23. They will be looking for a ridiculous second three-peat in tournament history having previously achieved the feat in 2016-18.
But it's going to be harder this time around because challengers are rising. The biggest has been Olympic gold medalist Netherlands, who are eying a first title having been runner-up twice before.
They won Olympic gold last year against France, who also must be rated a serious contender and they have a proud World Cup record. Les Bleus have reached the podium a record three times - the equal second most alongside 2019 champs USA.
The Americans have a new-look line-up, but this proud nation will be steeled to take revenge after their heart-breaking defeat to Serbia in 2023 in arguably the GOAT 3x3 game. With Henry Caruso and James Parrott emerging as the new Captain Americans, the USA will fancy their chances of becoming just the second men's nation to win multiple World Cups.
In the women's, we just have to start with three-time champs and title holders USA, who will unveil a new era led by LSU phenom Mikaylah Williams.
But there have been six different winners in the last six World Cups in the women's draw to underline the parity.
A new winner could emerge with the Netherlands being a prime candidate having absolutely owned the early stages of the Women's Series. Plus they are former Euro champs although strangely have had a curse at the World Cup having never reached the podium. They are primed to end that jinx.
Canada and Australia have dominated their continental competitions and also reached the podium at World Cups. But they well know that their legacies can be cemented by going all the way with the entire world watching.
Who are the players to watch?
The cream of the crop are in Ulaanbaatar and the battle for the crown will be up for grabs with GOAT Strahinja Stojacic once again sitting on the throne after hitting top form recently.
But Franck Seguela briefly experienced that No.1 feeling just recently, while Worthy de Jong might just be the ultimate big game player after his heroics at last year's Paris Olympics.
There are plenty of other stars with all eyes in Ulaanbaatar focused on hometown hero Anand Ariunbold, who with good reason is known as 'The Archer'. Talk about snipers and we just have to mention Antonio Ralat, a 3x3 miracle worker for Puerto Rico.
But this could be the event where a newcomer climbs to the top of the ladder and if a young gun does then it might just be German sensation Fabian Giessmann, who has been tearing it up on the World Tour.
Not many players can get higher although OG Karlis Lasmanis might just be able to as he cruises in on Flight KLM. He will again combine with his famous partner-in-crime Nauris Miezis as they bid to create history for 3x3 pioneering nation Latvia.
In the women's, Noortje Driessen is No.1 for good reason and all that's missing for her is World Cup glory. Her one-two punch with Janis Boonstra might be the most devastating weapon in the women's game right now.
Khulan Onolbaatar is used to the home pressure and the attention lifts her to great heights as she aims to add another special moment for 3x3 fan favorite Mongolia.
Spanish legend Sandra Ygueravide has continually inspired Spain over the years and you just know she'll be putting everything on the line to lift her nation to a historic triumph.
Former winners France's hopes might just rest with the ball wizardry of Hortense Limouzin. But she's not the only one with trippy moves because Germany's latest sensation Elisa Mevius can make the Wilson talk as the Olympic gold medalist aims to put another medal around her neck. No list would be complete without Paige Crozon and Marena Whittle, two favorites of the women's games who double as 3x3 ambassadors. But on the half-court their insane competitive instincts kick in as they shed blood, sweat and tears for their proud 3x3 nations.
FIBA