USA Basketball to Host February Women’s, Men’s FIBA World Cup Qualifying Games at Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C.

Games for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament scheduled for Feb. 10-12 and two FIBA Men’s World Cup Qualifying contests on Feb. 24 and 27, will be held at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., home to the Washington Mystics of the WNBA and the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League.

One of four world-wide sites selected by FIBA to host a FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, the Washington, D.C., site features teams from the USA, Belgium and Puerto Rico competing Feb. 10-12. Puerto Rico will play Belgium on Feb. 10; the Feb. 11 contest features the USA against Belgium; and the women’s games conclude with a USA versus Puerto Rico clash on Feb. 12.

Russia originally was drawn into the Washington, D.C., women’s tournament. However, FIBA today announced that due to the travel and health protocols in the USA, Russia will not be able to compete in Washington, D.C. Instead, the Dominican Republic will host Russia against Belgium on Feb. 13 and Puerto Rico versus Russia on Feb. 14. The USA versus Russia game will not be contested.

The second window of FIBA Americas Men’s World Cup Qualifying games will feature the USA (1-1) facing Puerto Rico (1-1) at 7 p.m. on Feb. 24 and the USA versus Mexico contest on Feb. 27 is slated for a 1 p.m. tip.

“USA Basketball is excited to return to D.C. to showcase both our men’s and women’s FIBA World Cup Qualifying teams,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO. “This is a unique opportunity for basketball fans in the Washington metropolitan area to show their support for our USA men’s and women’s national teams in high-level FIBA competitions. We are delighted to be partnering once again with Events DC to showcase these international competitions in a first-class venue in our nation’s capital.”

“As a city rich in both professional and amateur sports, D.C. is a hotbed for basketball at all levels and we are so honored to host USA Basketball’s FIBA World Cup Qualifying games at the Entertainment and Sports Arena,” said Gregory A. O’Dell, president and chief executive officer of Events DC. “The Arena has become a new sports and entertainment district for visitors to come and experience some of D.C.’s most exciting sports moments on a global stage.”

Tickets for all games will go on sale at a later date.

2021-24 USA Women’s National Team head coach Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx) will serve as head coach for the women’s team.

Players selected for the women’s team are expected to be WNBA athletes, while men’s players are expected to primarily be from the NBA G League, the NBA’s official minor league. Teams, including the full coaching staffs, will be selected by their respective men’s or women’s selection committees and announced at a later date.

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