Basketball World Cup qualifying draw held in Guangzhou

The draw for the qualifiers of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup 2019 took place in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou on May 7.

Eighty teams from four divisions (Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, and America) were assigned to different groups for the upcoming competition.

China, first-time host of the FIBA flagship event, is part of Group A in Asia-Pacific along with New Zealand, South Korea and Hong Kong. 

The qualifiers will tip off in November with contest running through until February 2019. A total of 79 teams will vie for 31 slots in the finals, which will be held across eight Chinese cities including Guangzhou from Aug 31 to Sept 15, 2019.

China has already obtained a berth in the finals, a privilege of being the event's host.