Nikola Jokic joins Serbia's camp before the August qualifiers

Nikola Jokic has joined Serbia's national basketball team camp in Belgrade. The squad is preparing for the next World Cup qualifying window. Serbia hosts Iceland on August 28 before travelling to face Italy three days later.

Head coach Dusan Alimpijevic called the available players for the new preparation period. Jokic's arrival confirms his participation in the camp itself. The final match roster will still follow the normal selection and registration process.

The team has assembled in Belgrade

Serbia brought its available players together before the second qualifying round begins. Training provides time to restore shared movements after club seasons and breaks. Alimpijevic can also assess each player's current condition.

Jokic arrived and joined the group during the first part of the camp. His presence gives the coaches another experienced central option. It also allows the team to practise actions that depend on his passing.

Iceland comes first

Serbia will meet Iceland in Belgrade on August 28. The home match begins the team's programme in the new qualifying group. Points from the earlier stage remain important in the second round.

Iceland enters the group with results carried from its own first phase. Serbia cannot treat the match as a preparation fixture. The outcome contributes directly to qualification for the 2027 World Cup.

Italy follows three days later

Serbia travels to Pesaro for an away game against Italy on August 31. The short interval requires recovery and quick tactical review after Iceland. Players will have limited training time between the two matches.

Nikola Jokic stands on court in Serbia's national team jersey.

Italy begins the round from a strong position in the group. Serbia therefore faces another direct rival for the leading places.

The away setting also changes the atmosphere and daily schedule.

Jokic already has a major national record

Jokic has represented Serbia in Olympic, European and World Cup competition. He won Olympic silver in 2016 and bronze in Paris during 2024. His role has expanded as his international experience increased.

During the current World Cup qualifiers, he has contributed scoring, rebounds and passing. Serbia can use him near the basket or as a playmaker. Those options give teammates several routes into the same possession.

Camp attendance and match selection are separate

Jokic's arrival is a confirmed event and does not require speculation. The coaches will complete their final list closer to the qualifying matches. Health, registration and team balance remain part of that process.

A player can attend camp before every later decision becomes public. Jokic was present for training, while the final line-up remained undecided. His arrival gave the group another experienced option for the scheduled qualifiers.

Serbia enters a demanding group

Turkey and Italy carried the strongest first-round records into the new group. Serbia begins behind them but remains inside the fight for qualification. Lithuania, Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina complete the six-team section.

The top three teams eventually reach the World Cup. Every carried result and new match therefore affects the table. Serbia's August games offer its first chance to improve the second-round position.

Preparation now moves onto the court

The coaching staff can begin detailed work with Jokic and the available guards. Passing timing and defensive communication require live repetition before competitive games. Friendly preparation alone cannot replace full team sessions.

Serbia now has two weeks before the home match against Iceland. The squad will use that period for training and scheduled preparation games. Jokic's arrival ensures that he is part of the work from this stage.

The camp connects two very different opponents

Iceland and Italy present different personnel and styles during the same qualifying window. Serbia needs a flexible preparation plan rather than one repeated match approach. Training with Jokic expands the passing and scoring options available. His ability to receive the ball near the basket draws help from defenders. He can then pass toward open shooters or finish the possession himself. Teammates need shared timing to recognise which option appears. Defensive work carries equal importance before the two matches. The group must communicate around screens and protect rebounds after a stop. Those details require every available player, not only the most recognised name.

Alimpijevic also needs to manage physical load after different club schedules. Some players arrive after long seasons, while others have already rested. Camp sessions can increase gradually before competitive intensity. Serbia's carried record leaves little room for careless home results. Winning against Iceland would improve the table before the difficult trip. Italy then offers a direct chance against one of the leading teams. Jokic has joined the work early enough to practise both opponents. His arrival is concrete news, while predictions about minutes remain unnecessary. The team will publish later selections through the normal process.