Can't miss games from 2025 AmeriCup Qualifiers Window 1

MIAMI (United States) – In less than a month we’ll feel the excitement of national team basketball with Window 1 of the 2025 AmeriCup Qualifiers taking place in Nicaragua from February 22-26.

The 16 participating teams (check out the groups here) will vie for the 12 spots in the biggest continental event, to be played in 2025, and are looking to make positive first impressions.

 

 

 

This first window is unique because both games will be against the same opponents and each team will play one at home and one away. The nations facing off on the 22nd will play each other again on the 25th, and those playing on the 23rd will match up again on the 26th, alternating home venues (find the schedule here).

These are the games you can’t miss from Window 1:

Venezuela vs. Colombia (Group A)

February 22 - 18:30 local time (GMT -4) | Maiquetía (VEN), Domo José María Vargas
February 25 - 18:10 local time (GMT -5) | Medellín (COL), Coliseo Iván de Bedout

Venezuela has dominated their head-to-head matchups, but Colombia has shown a lot of talent growth recently and is a rising nation in the region. Moreover, the Venezuelans should be embarking soon on a generational shift after playing in the 2023 FIBA World Cup with a roster that included several players aged 34 years old and above. Colombia will try to capitalize on this to at least split the series. The most recent game between them was at the 2022 AmeriCup Qualifiers, where Venezuela won both duels (a close 73-69 spat and a more comfortable 80-67 triumph).

Puerto Rico vs. Bahamas (Group D)

February 22 - 20:10 local time (GMT-4) | San Juan (PUR), Coliseo Roberto Clemente
February 25 - 20:10 local time (GMT-5) | Nassau (BAH), Sir Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium

The boricuas are the kings of the Caribbean, but Bahamas is coming off a performance that allowed them to earn a spot in this summer’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. While it’s true that their NBA stars (Deandre Ayton, Buddy Hield and Eric Gordon) won’t be available, center Kai Jones might join a squad that features several veterans that want to solidify their spot in the squad. That’s why Puerto Rico can’t take these matchups lightly and will bring a deep and balanced roster. The last time these teams played each other was at the 2022 AmeriCup Qualifiers, where Puerto Rico won both times but by small margins (91-85 and 102-97).

Panama vs. Uruguay (Group B)

February 23 - 21:10 local time (GMT-3) | Montevideo (URU), Antel Arena
February 26 - 20:10 local time (GMT-5) | Panama City (PAN), Arena Roberto Durán

What Uruguay and Panama have in common is that, on a good day, they’re able to beat any opponent in the region. Panama recently announced their preliminary roster, and all their best players are expected to be available. If they all show up for new head coach, Argentinian Gonzalo García, they could be a tough opponent. Meanwhile, Uruguay started playing younger talents during the Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament last year in Argentina, where new head coach Gerardo Jauri made his debut. These teams faced each other during the 2022 AmeriCup Qualifiers, with Uruguay winning the first game (74-67) and Panama taking the second one (77-71).

Dominican Republic vs. Mexico (Group C)

February 23 - 20:10 local time (GMT-4) | Santo Domingo (DOM), Palacio de los Deportes
February 26 - 20:10 local time (GMT-6) | Mexico City (MEX), Arena CDMX

These are two squads enjoying a great moment, having both played in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and getting ready to participate in this summer’s Olympic Qualifying Tournaments. The Dominicans announced changes on their bench and David Díaz will be at the helm this window, a coach who knows the players very well but will be making his head coaching debut. Mexico is betting on continuity and chemistry with a squad that has excelled under coach Omar Quintero. This might be the most even matchup of the window, especially since they haven’t played each other in the last 5 years. Their last head-to-head encounter was at the 2016 Centrobasket (a tournament that’s no longer played), where the Dominicans prevailed 82-69 in a group stage game.

FIBA