2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, explained: Canada’s roster, schedule and why it’s playing in Americas Qualifiers
Team Canada is close to qualifying for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
With the next World Cup qualifiers window starting on Thursday, August 25, Canada has put itself in a favorable position to secure a place in the tournament.
After 6-0 in the first qualifying round, Canada have the best record of any country as the results of the first round carry over to the second round.
Opening the second round, Canada meets Argentina on Thursday 25th August and Panama on Monday 29th August.
For more information on Canada’s roster, schedule and standings for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers, visit The Sporting News below.
Team Canada 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers Roster
Canada Basketball tentatively announced the 20-man roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers training camp, which will be led by Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Fifteen athletes are participating in the 🇨🇦 Men’s National Team training camp ahead of the fourth window of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifications.
Read more: https://t.co/pJhhx4YFZh#WinForCanada | #CanadaBasketball pic.twitter.com/gXGXgVUIND
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 18, 2022
Of the 20 players listed above, RJ Barrett, Khem Birch, Dillon Brooks, Luguentz Dort and Jamal Murray will attend training camp but will not participate in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.
Team Canada 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers Schedule
Team Canada meets Argentina on Thursday, August 25 and Panama on Monday, August 29 for their opening two games of the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
They will host Venezuela and Panama in the second window of the second round in mid-November and will be traveling to Argentina and Venezuela for their final two matches of the second round.
| date | Opponent | time (ET) | Venue | city |
| Thursday 25 August | against Argentina | 10:40 p.m | Save On Foods Memorial Center | Victoria, BC |
| Monday 29 August | near Panama | 8:10 p.m | Arena Roberto Duran | Panama City |
| Thu 10 Nov | Venezuela | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Sun. Nov 13 | Panama | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Fri February 24th | at Argentina | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Mon. February 27th | at Venezuela | TBA | TBA | TBA |
How Can Canada Qualify For The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup?
Canada finished the first round of 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifications with a perfect 6-0 record, giving them a huge advantage over the competition for the second round. Their record is carried over from the first round, so Canada will start the second round in first place among all teams in its group (E).
Countries play each team in their group twice. The top three teams from Groups E and F and the seventh best overall record (regardless of group) qualify for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The tables for both groups are below.
Note: Teams receive two points for a win and one point for a loss. The tiebreaker goes to a total of +/-.
| rank | team | recording | +/- | Points |
| 1. | Canada | 6-0 | 198 | 12 |
| 2. | Venezuela | 5-1 | 126 | 11 |
| 3. | Argentina | 5-1 | 73 | 11 |
| 4. | Dominican Republic | 4-2 | 73 | 10 |
| 5. | Panama | 2-4 | -8th | 8th |
| 6. | Bahamas | 2-4 | -82 | 8th |
| rank | team | recording | +/- | Points |
| 1. | Brazil | 5-1 | 122 | 11 |
| 2. | United States of America | 5-1 | 66 | 11 |
| 3. | Uruguay | 4-2 | 10 | 10 |
| 4. | Mexico | 4-2 | 0 | 10 |
| 5. | Puerto Rico | 3-3 | -7 | 9 |
| 6. | Colombia | 2-4 | -74 | 8th |