Canada’s men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams are aiming to break a long-standing world championship dry spell with the advantage of playing on home turf. The IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships will take place in Ottawa for the first time since 2014, starting on Wednesday and concluding with the championship games on September 19.
This event marks a significant milestone as it is the first time Canada is hosting both the men’s and women’s world championships concurrently, with 17 countries represented by 15 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams. Unfortunately, Iran had to withdraw from the men’s tournament due to visa issues affecting key team members, resulting in their scheduled games being recorded as forfeits without any alterations to the schedule. Canada’s women’s team has a successful history on home soil, having clinched gold in Toronto during the 2014 world championship, while the men are eager to secure their first world title since 2006.
In the previous world championships held in Dubai in 2023, both Canadian teams made it to the quarterfinals, with the women finishing fifth and the men sixth. The upcoming tournament holds special significance for Arinn Young, who views it as a full-circle moment, being her fourth world championship and second in Canada.
With a focus on showcasing their best performance, Canadian players are determined to leave a mark on the competition. Kady Dandeneau expressed the team’s aggressive approach, emphasizing their proactive mindset to create opportunities rather than passively waiting for them. The women’s team is grouped with China, Brazil, Great Britain, Australia, and Spain, while the men’s team competes against Morocco and Germany after Iran’s withdrawal.
Despite lacking in size, the Canadian men’s team relies on strong chemistry among players of varying experience levels, ranging from 17-year-old Ibrahim Odza to 42-year-old Tyler Miller. According to veteran player Nik Goncin, their emphasis on cohesive team play is their key strength, setting them apart from individual-focused strategies. The men’s tournament is structured into four groups, with the U.S., Italy, Brazil, and the Netherlands in Group A, Australia, Great Britain, Turkey, and Argentina in Group B, Spain, Japan, Poland, and Colombia in Group C, and Canada, Morocco, and Germany in Group D following Iran’s exit.
Head coach Matteo Feriani highlighted the need for the Canadian team to be mentally prepared for the intense competition and heightened physicality expected in international play, especially as the home team facing motivated opponents. The women’s team will kick off their campaign against Spain, while the men’s team faces Morocco in their opening game. The U.S. men’s team enters the tournament as the reigning champions, with the Netherlands holding the title on the women’s side.
