COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado and ATLANTA (10/10/25) - USA Basketball announced today that The Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, home to the WNBA Atlanta Dream and NBA G League College Park Skyhawks, will host a USA FIBA Men’s World Cup Qualifying game against Nicaragua at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Tickets are now on sale at USAB.com/tickets with prices starting as low as $14 for general admission.
“USA Basketball is excited to begin the journey to the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup at The Gateway Arena,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO. “World Cup Qualifying is a great opportunity for basketball fans and their families to support the USA Men’s National Team program. We are looking forward to playing in front of the College Park crowd as we host Nicaragua for the first time.”
The contest in College Park will be the second of a two-game window with USA Basketball first heading to Nicaragua for a tilt on Friday, Nov. 28. The USA Men, who are in Group A, will first host a training camp in Miami prior to the Nov. 28 game.
“As the host destination for the World Cup Qualifier, the ATL Airport District is thrilled to welcome international players and fans to Atlanta’s Southside,” said Mercedes Miller, president of the ATL Airport District Convention and Visitors Bureau. “From the on-court action to exploring everything the District has to offer, we’re confident attendees will have the ultimate experience discovering our communities.”
As previously announced, from November 2025 to March 2027, six World Cup Qualifying windows will feature 420 total games, as 80 national teams compete for one of 32 berths to the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar.
In the FIBA Americas zone, 16 teams will play across six windows with seven advancing to the World Cup. For more information, click here.
Players selected to represent the USA in the FIBA World Cup Qualifying games are expected to primarily be from the NBA G League. More information about the USA roster, coaching staff and training camp will be announced at a later date.
Under the current format, which dates back to the 2019 FIBA Men’s World Cup, USA Basketball has compiled a 19-5 record and has finished atop their respective group in both 2019 and 2023.
The USA are winners of two of the last four FIBA World Cups (2010, 2014).
For more information on the 2027 FIBA Men’s World Cup, click here.
About USA Basketball
USA Basketball, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024, is the National Governing Body for the sport of basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection and training of USA teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored basketball competitions and select national events, and for the development of youth basketball initiatives addressing player development, coach education and safety.
USA Basketball, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024, is the National Governing Body for the sport of basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection and training of USA teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored basketball competitions and select national events, and for the development of youth basketball initiatives addressing player development, coach education and safety.
About the ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau
The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Fairburn, Hapeville and Union City, Georgia. Home to the world’s most traveled airport, Atlanta’s second-largest convention center, more than 7,000 hotel rooms, an abundance of arts and culture, an eclectic mix of great restaurants, and located just minutes from downtown Atlanta, the ATL Airport District offers big-city amenities balanced with Southern charm.
The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Fairburn, Hapeville and Union City, Georgia. Home to the world’s most traveled airport, Atlanta’s second-largest convention center, more than 7,000 hotel rooms, an abundance of arts and culture, an eclectic mix of great restaurants, and located just minutes from downtown Atlanta, the ATL Airport District offers big-city amenities balanced with Southern charm.