The third edition of the event will see 16 teams competing in an expanded tournament - 12 nations took part in 2010 and 2012 - and will be the first time a FIBA World Championship will be hosted in the Middle East.

Two-time defending champions the US have been drawn in Group A, where they will be up against Angola, Greece and the Philippines.

Hamburg hosted the inaugural Under-17 World Championships which saw the US storm to the title with a 100 per cent record culminating in a 111-80 win over Poland in the gold medal match.

They repeated that performance in Kaunas in 2012 with an undefeated run to the final before overcoming Australia 95-62 to retain their crown, with star man Jahlil Okafor named tournament MVP (most valuable player).

This time round Australia have been drawn in a tricky looking Group B, alongside 2010 bronze medal winners Canada, France and Japan.

Hosts the UAE will face Puerto Rico, Italy and Spain in Group C.

The Spanish lost out to Croatia in the bronze medal game in Kaunas.

The Croatians failed to qualify this time round but neighbours Serbia will represent the Balkans in Group D where they will do battle with Argentina, China and Egypt.

Dubai hosts the annual International Basketball Championship but this year will see it host it's first FIBA World Championships ©AFP/Getty Images



Each team will play in a round-robin format in the group stage which will decide the ties for the last 16 round.

The eight winners from the last 16 will advance to the final knockout stages while the losers will take part in a classification competition to decide final placings.

The Championships in Dubai are due run from August 8 to 16.

The draw for the 2014 Women's Under-17 World Championships are duel take place on February 26, with the event scheduled to take place in Slovakia from June 28 to July 6.

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