EDMONTON, Alta. (September 27, 2022) – Canada Basketball and the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), in partnership with the City of Edmonton and Explore Edmonton, announced Tuesday that Edmonton will host both of Canada’s home games during the fifth window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers.

Canada will face Venezuela on Thursday, November 10, 2022 (9:10PM ET) before taking on Panama Sunday, November 13 (7:10PM ET) as the team looks to qualify for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 at home.  Both games will be held at the Edmonton Expo Centre and broadcast live on Sportsnet.

Tickets will go on sale to the public Thursday, September 29 at 10:00 AM ET via Ticketmaster.

Bringing more international basketball events to Canada is one of several shared priorities Canada Basketball and the CEBL announced earlier this year as the two organizations look to continue working closely together to grow the game of basketball here in Canada.

Since 2017, Canada Basketball has brought FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers games to six different provinces (Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, British Columbia, Alberta) across Canada with Edmonton being the seventh city (Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, Laval, St. John’s, Hamilton, Victoria) to host a game.   

After wins over Argentina and Panama in August during the fourth window, Canada (8-0) remains the only undefeated team in the Americas and sits atop Group E followed by Venezuela (7-1), Argentina (6-2), Dominican Republic (5-3), Panama (2-6), and Bahamas (2-6).  

In the Second Round, the 12 teams were divided into two groups of six. The teams that advanced from Groups A and C of the first phase, now make up Group E and those that come from Groups B and D, will make up Group F. The three best in each group and the best fourth place will move on to the World Cup.  For additional information on the format of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers, click here.   

Eighty national teams will play games across six qualifying windows to secure their place among the 30 teams who will join hosts Japan and the Philippines in the 32-team edition of FIBA's flagship event.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, set to take place from August 25 to September 10, 2023, will see the Group Phase take place in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. The Final Phase will follow in the Philippines capital city of Manila.

Canada is currently ranked 18th in the FIBA World Ranking presented by Nike.

QUOTES

"We’re incredibly excited to have home court advantage in Edmonton, as the city is a long-standing partner of our program with a passionate basketball fan-base ready to cheer us on as we work to punch our ticket to the FIBA World Cup in 2023. With our men’s team one win away from qualifying, Canada Basketball thanks the CEBL, City of Edmonton and Explore Edmonton for helping host these meaningful and exciting games.” - Michael Bartlett, President & CEO, Canada Basketball

“We are very proud to work alongside Canada Basketball to bring another world-class event to Canada. Edmonton is a city with a long, storied, history of basketball, and the Expo Centre is home to our two-time CEBL Champions, the Edmonton Stingers. To have the Senior Men’s National Team playing on home soil for a chance to clinch a World Cup berth is a story that hasn’t been told for decades and one that could unfold in Edmonton. I would ask all our Stingers fans to come out and be part of something truly historic.” - Mike Morreale, CEO, Canadian Elite Basketball League

“Edmonton is excited to host these important events for Canada Basketball. The City of Edmonton has had a unique partnership with Canada Basketball for the past 10 years with the goal of supporting the development of the Women’s Senior National Team, providing mentors and role models to local young basketball players, and bringing international basketball competitions to our city. Hosting the two matches in the Americas Qualifiers will continue the evolution of Edmonton as a strong basketball city which started many years ago with the historic Edmonton Grads.” - Amarjeet Sohi, Mayor, City of Edmonton

“We are thrilled to give Edmontonians another chance to witness World Cup qualifying games. The Edmonton EXPO Centre is the perfect intimate setting for Edmonton to be loud and proud for our country, and we cannot wait for Edmonton to prove once again what a great sport city it is.” – Cindy Medynski, Director, Edmonton Events, Explore Edmonton