# Serbia and regional teams prepare for basketball qualifiers > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/serbia-basketball-world-cup-qualifiers-preparation > Updated: 2026-08-18T09:59:42.000Z. Sources: 38. Developments: 5. In mid-August 2026, regional basketball preparations for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers intensified. Serbia’s head coach Dušan Alimpijević confirmed two crucial friendly matches against France to prepare for upcoming qualifiers against Iceland and Italy. The first friendly was scheduled for August 20 at the Belgrade Arena, with a second match to follow in Orleans. Alimpijević noted that France possesses “one of the highest-quality rosters” featuring many NBA players. He highlighted the anticipated matchup between Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama as a “spectacle involving two of the world’s best players,” though he maintained the primary focus is testing the new roster and refining the team's system. Basketball Federation of Serbia President Nebojša Čović emphasized the importance of these matches and called for fan support, while also urging clubs to include contract clauses to ensure player availability for the national team. To prepare for these high-intensity matchups, the Serbian team has undergone comprehensive medical and functional testing. Slovenia continues its preparations in Ljubljana and at Rogla. While the squad has been bolstered by the arrival of experienced guard Aleksej Nikolić, key players Luka Dončić, Vlatko Čančar, and Stefan Joksimović are unavailable due to injuries or academic commitments, and Urban Kroflič is expected to miss matches. Coach Aleksander Sekulić stated the team intends to “compete with high intensity to secure necessary victories in the second group stage” during upcoming matches against Montenegro and qualifying fixtures against France on 27 August and Hungary on 30 August. Montenegro is also preparing for the second round of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers in Qatar. Following a first round performance of four wins and two losses, the team is set to face Georgia and Ukraine. Center Zoran Nikolić stated the team is in better form than during the previous window and aims to maintain momentum. ## Claims - Tomislav Mijatović selected a 15-player roster for Croatia's World Cup qualifying window. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Mario Hezonja and Ivica Zubac are included in Croatia's 15-man roster. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Dušan Alimpijević named 18 candidates for Serbia's August qualifying window. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Montenegrin U16 water polo players protested the TPI scoring system in Zagreb. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The TPI (Tournament Performance Index) scoring system was used at the U16 World Water Polo Championship. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Aleksander Sekulić announced a 19-player roster for Slovenia's World Cup qualifying matches. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Luka Dončić will miss Slovenia's upcoming qualifying matches due to personal reasons. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Nikola Jokić is included in Serbia's 18-man pre-selection list. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Montenegro's basketball team aims to maintain their current momentum in the World Cup qualifiers. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The upcoming matches against Georgia and Ukraine are considered critical for Montenegro. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Montenegro has a record of four wins and two losses in the first round of qualifications. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Montenegro will play a control match against Slovenia on August 22 in Celje. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Serbia and France to face off in basketball friendly matches Serbia and France will face off in two friendly basketball matches, featuring a highly anticipated matchup between NBA stars Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama ahead of World Cup qualifiers. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbia-basketball-prepares-for-france-friendlies-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifiers ### 2026-08-12: Serbia and Slovenia basketball teams begin World Cup qualifying preparations Serbia and Slovenia national basketball teams begin preparations for FIBA World Cup qualifiers, with Serbia facing Iceland and Italy while Slovenia prepares for matches against France and Hungary. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nikola-joki-visits-hometown-of-sombor-before-joining-serbian-national-team ### 2026-08-06: Balkan national teams announce rosters for World Cup qualifiers Balkan national teams, including Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia, announce rosters for FIBA World Cup qualifiers, while Montenegrin youth water polo players protest tournament scoring in Zagreb. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbia-and-slovenia-name-squads-for-2027-fiba-world-cup-qualifiers ### 2026-08-04: Nikola Jokić Leads Serbia's Basketball Squad for World Cup Qualifiers Serbia's basketball team, led by coach Dušan Alimpijević, named a 18‑player roster featuring Nikola Jokić for August FIBA qualifiers, with friendlies against France before games versus Iceland and Italy. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nikola-joki-leads-serbias-basketball-squad-for-world-cup-qualifiers ### 2026-08-02: Serbian Basketball Coach Adds New Assistant Ahead of August Friendlies and World Cup Qualifiers Serbia's coach Dušan Alimpijević added Marko Barać to his staff for August friendlies and World Cup 2027 qualifiers, while Bosnia‑Herzegovina named a 16‑player U‑14 squad for training and the Slovenia Ball tour 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serbian-basketball-coach-adds-new-assistant-ahead-of-august-friendlies-and-world-cup-qualifiers --- Cite as: Serbia and regional teams prepare for basketball qualifiers. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/serbia-basketball-world-cup-qualifiers-preparation