2016 Olympic Games Basketball Qualification Process

The qualification process for the 2016 Olympic Games begun in 2014, with the first official qualifying tournament being the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The winners of that tournament guaranteed their presence at this summer’s event in Rio and in the past two years, all five of the FIBA zones being involved with the qualification process.

Breakdown of qualification process

There are 12 teams taking part in the basketball event at the Olympics. All of the FIBA zones have sent a team to the tournament with 7 of these teams qualifying outright from localised championships and qualifying tournaments.

FIBA Africa have provided their champion as a qualifier
FIBA Americas have provided two teams, their champion and their runner-up, as qualifiers
FIBA Asia have provided their champion as a qualifier
FIBA Europe have provided two teams, their champion and their runner-up, as qualifiers
FIBA Oceania have provided their champion as a qualifier

The winner of the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualified automatically for this summer’s event and that allowed the United States of America to book their place in Rio.

At a FIBA meeting held in Tokyo in August 2015, it was decided that a spot would be provided to the host nation, Brazil, at the tournament. This provided the platform for 9 teams to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games with the three remaining spots in the tournament being decided by wildcard qualification.

The world champions

United States of America were the first qualifiers for the tournament, clinching the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain. Most experts tipped the USA to clash with the hosts in the final but France shocked Spain in the knockout stage of the tournament. This provided Team USA with a clear passage to victory, with the final taking place on 14^th September 2014 in Madrid.

United States of America 129 – Serbia 92

With qualification for the Rio Games assured, the US decided against participating in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship. Even with the best players in the world like Steph Curry and LeBron James declaring themselves unavailable for the tournament, Team USA are clear favourites for the basketball tournament at the 2016 Olympic Games.

FIBA Africa qualifier

Nigeria claimed the single automatic FIBA Africa spot by virtue of their 6-1 record at the AfroBasket 2015 event. In the tournament final, held on 30^th August 2015, Nigeria played Angola for the continental title and a place in the 2016 Olympics.

Angola 65 – Nigeria 74

FIBA Americas qualifiers

Venezuela and Argentina, by virtue of contesting the final of 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, claimed the two FIBA Americas qualifying spots. The final game took place on 12^th September 2015.

Venezuela 76 – Argentina 71

FIBA Asia qualifier

China, with a 9-0 record at the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, claimed the automatic qualifying spot from FIBA Asia. The final game of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship tournament took place on 3^rd October 2015.

China 78 – Philippines 67

FIBA Europe qualifiers

Spain and Lithuania booked their spot at the 2016 Rio Games by virtue of playing out the final of the 2015 Eurobasket event. The final was played on the 20^th September 2015 in Lille in France.

Spain 80 – Lithuania 63

FIBA Oceania qualifier

Australia won a two-legged final against New Zealand to claim the 2015 FIBA Oceania Championship and a place in the 2016 Rio Games. The first game took place on 15^th August 2015 in Melbourne, Australia while the second game took place on 18^th August 2015 in Wellington, New Zealand.

Australia 71 – New Zealand 59
New Zealand 79 – Australia 89
Aggregate score: Australia 160 – New Zealand 138

The hosts

Host nation Brazil were ranked as 9^th in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship but the decision to give the host nation direct access to the tournament ensured that they would not miss out on their local party. Not many bookmakers or even fans expect Brazil to go too far in the tournament but home advantage and a loud crowd may spur Brazil on to have an impact at the group stages this summer.

Wildcard qualification

In order to determine the three remaining slots, the Qualification tournaments, featuring the best non-qualifying teams, have been arranged for early July.

The tournaments have been made up from:

Host nations – The three nations hosting the qualifying tournaments have received a place in the Qualifying tournaments – 3 teams
FIBA Africa – 3 teams
FIBA Americas – 3 teams
FIBA Asia – 2 teams
FIBA Europe – 6 teams
FIBA Oceania – 1 team

Initially, FIBA Asia was allocated 3 teams and FIBA Europe were allocated 5 teams but FIBA Asia decided against allowing Lebanon to take place in the qualifying tournament and their spot was taken by Turkey, providing FIBA Europe with an additional spot.

There will be three tournaments and the winner of each individual tournament will take their place in the 2016 Olympic Games.

The Olympic Qualification tournaments will be examined in greater depth on its own page but if you are interested in betting on these games, there is a Future market in operation.

Future Bets for the Olympic Qualification Tournament

For the Olympic Qualification tournament held in Belgrade, Serbia are listed as favourites at odds 1.22, Czech Republic are listed at 8.50, Latvia are listed at 9.50 as are Puerto Rico. Angola are listed at 67.00 and Japan are listed as 201.00 outsiders to qualify for the Olympics.

For the Olympic Qualification tournament held in Turin, Italy are listed as favourites at odds 1.80, Greece are listed at 3.25, Croatia are listed at 3.75 and Mexico are listed at 101.00. Iran are listed at 251.00 and Tunisia are listed as 301.00 outsiders to qualify for the Olympics.

For the Olympic Qualification tournament held in Manila, France are listed as favourites at odds 1.22, Canada are listed at 5.25, Turkey are listed at 8.00 while the hosts Philippines are listed at 67.00. New Zealand are stated at 81.00 and Senegal are listed as 201.00 outsiders to qualify for the Olympics.

Stay in touch with Basketball Betting to find out how the Qualification tournaments are progressing and for the full picture of how the basketball event at the 2016 Olympic Games takes shape.