A total of 40 participating squads, 20 men's and 20 women's, were divided into eight pools of five teams for their respective tournaments, due to take place from October 11 until 15.

In the men's competition, Pool A appears to be the "group of death" with all three medallists of the previous tournament drawn together.

Reigning champions Qatar, silver medallists Serbia and third place Russia will meet in the early rounds with only the best two teams advancing to the quarter-finals.

To add even further interest Italy, quarter finalists at the 2016 European Championships, and two time FIBA 3x3 under-18 World Championships winners New Zealand are also in Group A.

In contrast, current European champions Slovenia have possibly the easiest draw after they were placed in Group B along with Andorra, Egypt, Indonesia and Uruguay, all of whom have never reached the quarter-finals of this event.

Pool C carries high interest as well as 3x3 star Terrence Romeo will lead the Philippines in an otherwise all-European affair.

Poland, Romania and Spain all made it to the quarter-finals of the European Championships three weeks ago whilst Hungary complete the group.

Elsewhere, the United States have yet to win a medal at the 3x3 World Championships in the men's category but will be the heavy favourites in Pool D, which also features the Chinese hosts, Japan, Turkey and European Championships bronze medallists, the Netherlands.

It has been a completely different story for the US in the women's event however, as they have won the two previous editions of this tournament.

The American team have been drawn in Pool C with two European countries, Italy and Spain, and two Asian teams, Chinese Taipei and Japan.

Recently crowned European champions Hungary will headline Pool B with Australia and the two-time Olympian Jennifer Screen.

Andorra, Argentina and Israel complete the pool.

The Chinese hosts, meanwhile, will have a tough task to progress from Pool D against three European teams who have enjoyed success in 3x3 in recent years.

Czech Republic reached the semi-finals of the 2014 World Championships, France won the silver medal at the 2012 tournament and Romania were runners-up in the European Championships last month.

Quite a challenge for the Cook Islands, who round off Pool D, on their first-ever appearance at the 3x3 World Championships.

Pool A in the women's competition features three European teams in the Netherlands, Poland and Ukraine along with Indonesia and New Zealand.

The top-two placed teams from each pool will advance to a standard knock-out round which starts at the quarter-finals stage.