Brasília is already catching the spirit of competition and cheering. Since last Tuesday (12), delegations from countries and continents all around the globe have been arriving in Brazil’s capital to compete in the FISU University World Cup 3×3 Basketball – Brasília 2025. Among the athletes, the mood is one of excitement, curiosity, and anticipation.
Before the official games, the Pavilhão do Parque da Cidade has become the meeting point for teams to train and make final adjustments ahead of the matches, which will take place from November 14 to 16 at the TV Tower Esplanade (Pátio da Torre de TV). A special 3×3 basketball arena has been set up exclusively for the event.
Organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) in partnership with the Brazilian University Sports Confederation (CBDU), the tournament brings together 24 teams from 15 countries, including Canada, China, Iran, Uganda, Chile, Ecuador, Australia, Spain, Mexico, Ukraine, Lithuania, and Brazil. It’s the first time Brasília hosts the university world championship for the 3×3 basketball format.
Expectations on and off the court
For the Brazilian athletes, competing at home and feeling the support of the crowd adds a special flavor to the experience. “We have very high expectations, especially because it’s the first world 3×3 championship our women’s team is taking part in. It’s an incredible opportunity for visibility, so we’re very excited,” said Camila Matheussi, athlete from Universidade Paulista (UNIP), São Paulo. She added that the team has been preparing for months, taking part in regional and national tournaments — and their goal is clear: “We came to give our best, and we’re aiming for the podium.”
Her teammate Jean Saraiva, from the UNIP men’s team, echoed that confidence and shared details of their preparation. “We worked hard over the last two months, fine-tuning our game and strengthening our bond on the court. We’ll do everything we can to make it work,” he said.
The sunny Brasília weather has been a pleasant surprise for many international visitors. Wendy Hsiao, from the Chinese Culture University (Chinese Taipei), said the warmth was a welcome change. “It’s cold and rainy in Taiwan right now, so the sun here feels great! Brasília is a beautiful city with an amazing view,” she said. “We want to do our best and get the best possible result to try and win the competition.”
Kayiira Joel, from Uganda Christian University, highlighted the warm Brazilian hospitality and said he’s eager to explore the city. “This is my first time in Brazil, and I’m excited. People told me great things about the country, so I can’t wait to win my medal and walk around to get to know the city better. It actually feels a bit like Africa — the weather is warm and people are very friendly. We’re being really well received.”
Joel arrives with strong credentials: Uganda’s men’s team is the current African university 3×3 champion. “We’re entering this tournament as African champions, so expectations are high. My teammates and I feel ready — we’ve trained a lot and developed new strategies for this championship,” he said.
About the FISU University World Cup 3×3 Basketball – Brasília 2025
In addition to bringing together university athletes from across the globe, the event is set to energize the heart of Brasília. Matches will take place at the TV Tower Esplanade, next to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
With free admission, local fans will have the chance to watch world-class university basketball up close and experience the cultural exchange that the tournament inspires.
The competition kicks off this Friday (14) with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by games throughout the day. Matches continue until Sunday (16), when the closing ceremony and awards will celebrate both the champions and the spirit of international sportsmanship.
The full schedule, match details, and fixtures can be found on the social media pages of CBDU (@cbdu) and FISU (@fisu). All matches will also be streamed live on the FISU.tv YouTube channel.
21 Nov
