Guyana replaces Antigua & Barbuda in AmeriCup pre-qualifiers

Guyana’s senior men’s basketball team will compete in the second round of the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Pre-Qualifiers in Nicaragua next month after being selected to replace Antigua and Barbuda, which withdrew from the competition.
The Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) announced that FIBA Americas extended the invitation after Guyana was identified as the next highest-ranked men’s national team in the Caribbean.

Guyana will face hosts Nicaragua, Jamaica and Costa Rica in Group A from November 27–29, 2026, at the Polideportivo Alexis Arguello in Managua. The top two teams will advance to the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Qualifiers, scheduled to begin in November 2027.
GBF President Michael Singh welcomed the opportunity while acknowledging the circumstances surrounding Guyana’s inclusion.
“While we never wish for a situation where a fellow National Federation has to withdraw, this is a tremendous opportunity for our Senior Men’s National Team to continue their journey toward the FIBA AmeriCup 2029,” Singh said.
“We are ready to compete, and we thank FIBA Americas for this invitation. Our focus now shifts immediately to preparation for the upcoming window.”
The competition features eight teams divided into two groups of four. Each team will play its three group opponents once in a round-robin format, with four qualifying places available across the two groups.
According to the rankings listed in the GBF release, Guyana is positioned at 22, behind all three Group A opponents. Nicaragua is listed at 15, Jamaica at 16, and Costa Rica at 17.
The Guyanese delegation is scheduled to arrive in Nicaragua on November 25 and depart on November 30.
Preparations will include selecting the team, confirming player eligibility, completing registration and organising travel. The federation will also coordinate the national delegation to ensure it meets FIBA’s competition requirements.
Details of the playing roster, technical staff and tournament arrangements will be announced through the GBF’s official channels as preparations progress.
The federation described the invitation as a reflection of the national programme’s continued growth and competitiveness within the region. It also highlighted the opportunity for Guyana’s leading senior men’s players to represent their country and pursue a place in the next stage of the continental competition.
The GBF appealed to the basketball community, corporate partners, supporters and the wider Guyanese public to support the team, stressing the importance of national cooperation in preparing for the assignment.
Meanwhile, Group B will be contested over the same November 27–29 period at the Gimnasio Ciudad de La Asuncion in Isla Margarita, Venezuela. Hosts Venezuela, listed at eight in the supplied rankings, will face Cuba, ranked 14; Barbados, 20; and Ecuador, 27.
The top two teams from that group will also progress to the qualifiers beginning next November.