Ukraine’s U18 3x3 Basketball Team at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games
The Ukrainian U18 3x3 basketball team has earned a license to compete in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, thanks to their strong ranking among youth national teams. The tournament will feature 12 teams, split into four groups of three. During the group stage, Ukraine will play two matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals.
The 3x3 basketball competition at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games is scheduled from November 6 to 9. The Summer Youth Olympic Games will run from October 31 to November 13, with medals awarded across 35 sports.
Women’s National Team and EuroBasket Preparation
Notably, Ukraine will participate in the women’s basketball tournament at the Youth Olympic Games for the second consecutive time. In 2018, the Ukrainian team lost in the first round of the playoffs. Currently, the women’s U18 team is also preparing for the EuroBasket tournament, which will take place from late July to early August. The Ukrainian women will compete in Group B against teams from Norway, Bulgaria, Israel, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The women’s 3x3 basketball tournament at the Youth Olympic Games will include teams from the following countries:
- France
- Italy
- Czech Republic
- Senegal
- Egypt
- Kenya
- Mexico
- Chile
- Fiji
- China
- Chinese Taipei
The Ukrainian women’s national 3x3 basketball team has started a preparatory camp under the guidance of new head coach Vitaliy Cherniy. In June, the team will also compete at the World Championship.
This qualification marks a key milestone for basketball development in Ukraine, giving young athletes the chance to gain valuable international experience. Competing in events like the Youth Olympics and EuroBasket will help raise the level of play and promote the sport among Ukrainian youth.
As Ukraine's U18 team prepares for the Youth Olympic Games, the women's 3x3 basketball squad is also gearing up for their own challenges. They will face tough opponents, including France, Canada, and Japan at the World Cup, which emphasizes the growing competitiveness of Ukrainian basketball on the international stage.