FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup Draw Puts Israel in Same Group as Arab Nation: Will Jordan Withdraw?
The draw for the 17th edition of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, held on Friday, has placed the
Jordanian national team in the same group as Israel. The event, conducted at the Olympic Museum in
Lausanne, Switzerland, has set the stage for a potentially controversial matchup.
The draw resulted in the following groups:
Group 1 : Serbia, Argentina, New Zealand, Mali
Group 2: Germany, Slovenia, Canada, China
Group3: Switzerland, Israel, Dominican Republic, Jordan
Group 4: USA, Australia, France, Cameroon.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Switzerland from June 28 to July 6, 2025.
The placement of Jordan and Israel in the same group has sparked discussions due to the current
political tensions between the two countries. Despite having a peace treaty, the relationship has been
strained by Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, leading to public and official unrest in Jordan.
There’s speculation about whether Jordan will participate in matches against Israel, considering the
political climate. A decision by Jordan to not play could lead to sanctions and fines from FIBA,
potentially affecting future international sports participation.
This situation highlights the intersection of sports and politics, where sporting events often reflect
broader geopolitical issues. Fans and observers worldwide will be watching closely to see how this
unfolds, not just for the love of the game but for the implications it holds on international diplomacy
through sports.