Mongolia to Host FIBA 3x3 World Cup for the First Time
Sports
Ulaanbaatar, June 4, 2025 /MONTSAME/. Mongolia will host its first FIBA 3x3 World Cup on June 23-29, 2025. This landmark international sports competition will convene the world's leading men's and women's 3x3 basketball teams from over 30 countries.
More than 700 international guests and delegates are expected to attend the 3x3 World Cup. In addition to showcasing high-level athletic competition, the Cup presents a valuable opportunity to introduce Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience.
In the lead-up to the 3x3 World Cup, Ulaanbaatar will host two major international 3x3 basketball competitions. On June 18-19, 2025, the FIBA 3x3 Ulaanbaatar Women’s Series will feature elite teams from Germany, Canada, France, and Australia. Representing the host country will be the Mongolian National Team, along with “Ulaanbaatar Amazons” and “Amgalan U24.” This will be followed by the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Challenger, a top-tier men’s competition, on June 20-21, 2025. Twelve of the highest-ranking teams in the world are set to participate, including Mongolia’s “Ulaanbaatar Energy” and “Zavkhan Sainscore.”
Tugsjargal Sambuu, Secretary General of the Mongolian Basketball Association, provided insight into the ongoing preparations for the 3x3 World Cup and the National Team's readiness.
- What are your expectations for this historic event, and how are the preparations progressing?
- This is the largest sporting event Mongolia has ever hosted, and we are paying close attention to every aspect of its preparation and organization. Our men’s and women’s teams have consistently achieved strong results in recent years, which is a source of great pride. With Olympic and world champions set to compete in Ulaanbaatar, the level of competition will be extremely high. It is also an important opportunity for Mongolia to raise its profile internationally, and we are taking that responsibility seriously. Our organizing team is committed to ensuring the event meets the highest international standards. We are confident that Mongolia will demonstrate its capacity to host a world-class tournament.
How will the national team rosters be selected for the World Cup?
Like all sports federations, we follow a structured selection process based on official guidelines. We will first announce an extended roster, and from there, finalize the lineup based on athletes’ performance and preparedness during training.
How is the National Team preparing for the tournament?
Our athletes are training regularly at facilities such as “Uran Gan,” “M Bank Arena,” and “Selbe.” This year, many of our core male players did not compete in the National Super League to focus fully on their World Cup preparations. They took time to recover during the winter season and are now dedicating themselves entirely to intensive training for the World Cup.
In the group stage of the World Cup, Mongolia’s men’s team has been drawn into Pool B alongside the United States, Latvia, Japan, and Montenegro. The women’s team will compete in Pool D against Germany, Spain, Brazil, and Ukraine.
