MIES (Switzerland) - With the field for the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 complete, it provides the perfect chance to take a look at each of the contenders and how they have done down the years.
From regular podium challengers to rookies, here's what you need to know about the past tournament record of the 16 teams ready to step out in Brno, Czechia next year.
Argentina - 10th appearance
The South Americans will take to the floor for a fourth straight edition and once won a medal back in 2009 in Thailand. They also made this edition by taking the third podium step when they performed well at the FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup 2024.
Australia - 16th appearance
The Gems have the joint-highest number of appearances along with USA and have also made the joint second-most Finals in tournament history. They have played in four of them, as have Russia and their last was in 2021. They booked a spot at this edition as FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2024 champs.
Brazil - 12th appearance
Brazil have a rich history in the competition in terms of participation and this will be their third edition in a row. They once won bronze in 2011 but have not made the Quarter-Finals in more than a decade. They grabbed 4th place at the FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup 2024.
Canada - 12th appearance
Canada waited 32 years for a first medal and then after winning their first in 2017, they now have two in four editions after excelling in Madrid in 2023. This will be their 11th straight appearance at the event and they confirmed their spot with silver at the FIBA U18 Women's AmeriCup 2024.
China - 15th appearance
Having appeared more times than any other nation except co-appearance leaders USA and Australia, this will be an opportunity for China to improve on their medal haul. Despite so many outings, they only have one bronze as it stands. They were second at the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2024.
Czechia - 7th appearance
Taking their allocated place as the host nation of the prestigious tournament, it is still relatively familiar territory for Czechia. With 7 previous appearances behind them, they also know what it feels like to be crowned champions when they achieved the feat on home soil back in 2021.
France - 12th appearance
Semi-Finalists at the last edition in Madrid, France previously made a Final in 2013 in Lithuania. They could be tipped to make a serious push for only their second-ever medal when the action gets underway in Brno. That's because they were crowned FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2024 winner.
Hungary - 5th appearance
Hungary ride into this one off the back of being the next best placed team at the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2024 after Serbia, who were unable to participate. Hungary do have a podium finish on their U19 Worlds resume, having previously landed bronze on a memorable day at the 2021 edition which was played on home soil.
Israel - 1st appearance
There will be pride bursting through this Israel side when they line up for their opening game at the tournament since they will be making their debut at the flagship tournament. They managed to make it to Brno off the back of a fabulous run to the Semi-Finals at the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2024.
Japan - 12th appearance
With an eye-catching 12 appearances, Japan are probably now determined to take that last step and bank a first-ever podium finish. The closest they have ever come was in Udine, Italy in 2017 when they made the last four. They qualified for this edition by taking bronze at the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2024.
Korea - 12th appearance
Another regular competitor from Asia, Korea also have 12 previous outings on their record but can actually boast a medal. In fact, they competed in the inaugural Final in 1985. They are back having missed out on the 2023 edition. A fourth place at the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2024 confirmed their place.
Mali - 11th appearance
The FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket 2024 champions are back again and cementing their status as the winningest team from the Continent at the U19 Worlds. They also have far more appearances than any other African nation, famously turning heads in a historic Semi-Finals run in 2021 and then taking 5th in 2023
Nigeria - 2nd appearance
You have to hit the rewind button 13 years to the one and only time that Nigeria have been able to compete at the event. Their second appearance is will timed for women'a basketball in the country, taking into account the heroics of D'Tigress at Paris 2024. Nigeria qualified with silver at the FIBA U18 Women's AfroBasket 2024.
Portugal - 1st appearance
It was another epic and memorable night for Portuguese basketball in the now legendary Matosinhos Arena as they dug out fifth place at the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket to make history. That booked them a rookie trip to this competition, having previously done the same for the U17 Worlds.
Spain - 14th appearance
This will be 11 appearances in a row and as host nation at the last edition, they came so close to delivering a gold rush on home soil. They lit it up in Madrid and were just edged out by USA in a tournament and Final for the ages. They were silver medalists at the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2024.
USA - 16th appearance
You could say that saving the best for last, the USA are simply head and shoulders above any other nation by some distance. With the joint most appearances, they are into double-digits when it comes to titles, having taken gold in Madrid. They once won six titles on the spin between 2005 and 2015.
FIBA