2026 3x3 Basketball World Cup
Scheduled from June 1 to June 7 in Warsaw, Poland, the 2026 3x3 Basketball World Cup will feature 40 national teams across both men's and women's divisions. Among them is the Ukrainian women's squad, aiming to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017. This edition marks the tenth in the tournament's history and spans seven days of competition.
During the group stage, the 20 teams will be split into four groups of five. Each team will play four matches. The group winners (A1, B1, C1, D1) advance directly to the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-place finishers move to the play-in round. Play-in games are scheduled for June 5, quarterfinals for June 6, and the semifinals, third-place match, and final will all take place on June 7.
Ukraine Women's Roster
Ranked among the top 15 globally, the Ukrainian women's team is coached by Vitaliy Cherniy. The roster includes:
- Anzhelika Liashko
- Krystyna Filevych
- Miriam Uro-Nilie
- Kateryna Koval
Standing at 195 cm, Kateryna Koval has posted impressive numbers: 31 rebounds in a single game in Vienna and 26 in Ulaanbaatar, along with 52 points across two stages. Miriam Uro-Nilie boasts a 91% free-throw rate from the Ulaanbaatar stage.
Ukraine's group opponents are Canada, Japan, France, and Lithuania. Recent matchups between Ukraine and France at the 2024 and 2025 European Championships ended in French victories, with the last game finishing 20-16. Lithuania, which hosted Ukraine in Kaunas for pre-tournament training, placed second at the Women's Series stage in Manila, led by Kamile Nacickaite-van der Horst. Canada, ranked first in the world with standout player Paige Crozon, is also a favorite.
On the women's side, the top contenders include the Netherlands, the United States, and Canada. The Netherlands are the reigning world champions, while the US brings in players like Makayla Williams and Mylejah Fulwiley, who play alongside Kateryna Koval on the LSU Tigers.
Ukraine's match schedule is as follows:
- June 2 at 15:20 – Ukraine vs. Canada
- June 2 at 17:40 – Japan vs. Ukraine
- June 4 at 13:30 – France vs. Ukraine
- June 4 at 15:20 – Ukraine vs. Lithuania
- June 5 at 19:00 – Play-in round
- June 6 at 19:00 – Quarterfinals
- June 7 at 18:00 – Semifinals
- June 7 at 20:35 – Bronze final (women)
- June 7 at 21:05 – Bronze final (men)
- June 7 at 21:45 – Gold final (women)
- June 7 at 22:15 – Gold final (men)
In total, 104 matches will be played.
FIBA experts rank Ukraine as the second-weakest team in the tournament, highlighting the tough challenge ahead for the squad.
The 3x3 Basketball World Cup in Warsaw represents a key milestone for Ukraine's women's team. Competing on the international stage will allow the squad to test its strength and gain valuable experience against top-tier global opponents. Despite a difficult group and low expectations from analysts, the team will aim to showcase its abilities and improve on past performances.
As the Ukrainian women's team prepares for the upcoming 3x3 Basketball World Cup, it's worth noting the success of the country's younger athletes. Recently, Ukraine’s U18 3x3 basketball squad earned a spot at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, showcasing the nation's growing talent in the sport. This achievement not only highlights the potential of young players but also adds to the excitement surrounding Ukrainian basketball on the international stage.