Announced in Geneva, Switzerland overnight, the FIBA Women’s World Cup (WWC) qualifying draw has been revealed and Australia is set for a trip to Belgrade, Serbia.
Ranked at #3, Australia has drawn in Group A alongside three teams within the top 20, in Korea (#19), Serbia (#9) and Brazil (#14).
16 teams separated into four pools will compete at the qualifying tournaments locked in for February 10-13, 2022. The top three from each pool will comprise the final 12 teams to proceed to the World Cup, set for the shores of Sydney in September 2022.
Full draw below.
THE GROUPS ARE SET 🙌🏻
What are your thoughts after today’s Draw? A looot of exciting match-ups are happening in February, and we can’t wait 🤩🤩🤩#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/7DmCDwb4zK
— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) November 23, 2021
Both Australia and the USA will still appear at the qualifiers despite having automatic qualification for the World Cup as hosts and Olympic champions respectively.
All eyes are set on the WWC for the Australian Opals as they look to go one step further than their 2018 Silver placings, after a loss to the USA in the final.
In the spirit of reconciliation Basketball Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.