Australia Defeat China to Retain FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 Title
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Australia successfully defended their continental title after defeating China 89-79 in the final of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The final was played at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium, where Australia produced a strong performance against 11-time champions China.
Australia Control Most of the Final
Australia outscored China in three of the four quarters to secure the championship.
Jai Fa’ale led Australia’s scoring with 19 points, while China’s Yizhaojie Zhang finished as the game’s top scorer with 20 points.
The victory gave Australia their third FIBA U18 Asia Cup title.
Australia’s Road to the Final
Australia began the tournament with a convincing 102-32 win over Thailand before recording victories against the Philippines and Chinese Taipei.
The three wins helped Australia finish first in Group A.
In the knockout stage, Australia defeated Iran 90-69 in the quarter-finals before producing another strong display against South Korea, winning the semi-final 111-74.
The team then completed its successful campaign by beating China in the final.
India’s Campaign Ends in Playoffs
Host nation India was unable to reach the quarter-finals.
India started the tournament with defeats against Japan 91-65 and South Korea 90-61. The team then kept its hopes alive by beating Kazakhstan 82-61.
India finished third in Group D behind South Korea and Japan.
Under the tournament format, the top three teams from each group advanced to the knockout stage. Group winners progressed directly to the quarter-finals, while second- and third-placed teams entered qualification playoffs.
India faced Iran in the qualification playoff but lost 83-66, bringing its campaign to an end.
FIBA U18 Asia Cup Returns to India
The 28th edition of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup featured 16 teams divided into four groups.
The biennial under-18 basketball tournament returned to India for the first time in 22 years. Bengaluru previously hosted the competition in 2004.
Kolkata also hosted the tournament in 1998, an edition remembered for the international debut of Chinese basketball great Yao Ming.
Australia’s latest victory confirms their position as the current continental champions in men’s under-18 basketball.
