MALAGA (Spain) - The road to the title of the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2022 has been laid out as the groups for the sixth edition of the event were confirmed in Thursday’s draw in Malaga, Spain.

The teams were divided into four groups of four teams each, with the hosts Spain drawn together with Dominican Republic, Lithuania and a team from Asia in Group B, and the five-time reigning champions United States to face Mali, Slovenia and team from Asia in Group C.

The results of the draw are as follows:
Group A: TBC (Asia 3), France, Serbia and Canada
Group B: Spain, Dominican Republic, TBC (Asia 2) and Lithuania
Group C: USA, Mali, Slovenia and TBC (Asia 4)
Group D: TBC (Asia 1), Argentina, Egypt and Poland

The four teams from the Asia/Oceania Region will be determined later this year at the FIBA U16 Asian Championship scheduled to take place June 12-19.

All 16 teams participating in the event will advance to the competition’s Final Phase with a single-elimination format in place from the Round of 16 onwards.

The teams from group A will face teams from group B, based on standings within these groups (1st vs 4th - 2nd vs 3rd) and teams from group C will face teams from group D.

The defending champions USA will be shooting for their sixth consecutive U17 World Cup crown. The Americans have not only won each of the previous trophies since the event was launched in 2010, but they have not suffered a single loss in the competition’s history.

The draw was performed by Nikos Zisis, member of FIBA Players' Commission and Greek national team hero, with 2006 World Champions and Spanish legends of the game Carlos Cabezas and Carlos Jimenez.

The 2022 edition of the tournament will take place from July 2-10 in Malaga, Spain.