FIBA Basketball WC 2019 Qualifiers: India handed a tough draw
The top seven teams from the Qualifiers will advance to play in the World Cup 2019 that will be conducted in China.
Bengaluru: India was drawn alongside Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in Group C for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Qualifiers during the draw ceremony in China. India are currently ranked 53rd in FIBA rankings, making them the third best team in the group after Jordan (28) and Lebanon (43). Syria is ranked 72nd.
Among other Asian qualifier groups, Group A comprises of China, New Zealand, Korea, and Hong Kong while Group B includes Japan, Chinese Taipei, Australia and Philippines. Group D will feature Iraq, Qatar, Kazakhstan and Iran.
The Qualifiers for the Asia – Oceania region comprise the same sixteen teams that are slated to compete at the FIBA Asia Cup 2017 in Lebanon from August 10 – 20, 2017. The top seven teams from the Qualifiers will advance to play in the World Cup 2019 that will be conducted in China.
Fixtures for India:
Lebanon vs. India (Nov. 23), India vs. Syria (Nov. 26), India vs. Jordan (Feb 23, 2018), India vs. Lebanon (Feb 26), Syria vs. India (June 28), Jordan vs. India (July 1).