USA and Canada drawn into opposite groups as FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup draw shapes road to Irapuato

The groups for the FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup 2026 were confirmed following the official draw held on Monday in Miami, with the eight-team tournament set for June 9-15 at the Inforum in Irapuato, Mexico.
The groups are as follows:

Group A: Canada, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
Group B: Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay, United States

The draw placed the two highest-ranked sides the United States and Canada into separate groups, setting up a potential semifinal or final clash between the powerhouses. The USA headline Group B alongside host nation Mexico, South American qualifier Paraguay, and Argentina. Group A features Canada, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic in what projects as a fiercely competitive four-team pool. Paraguay's inclusion marks a notable milestone the Guaranies earned their place through the South American qualifying pathway and will be making their presence felt on the continental U18 stage. The tournament will debut a new youth competition format for the Americas. Each team plays every group opponent once, with group winners advancing directly to the semifinals and second-versus-third crossover games determining the remaining semifinal spots. Four FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2027 berths are at stake.