Team USA, who have named the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in their 2019-2020 roster, will be strong favourites to retain their crown at the August 31-September 15 showpiece in China.

Saturday's draw in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen pitted a biggest-ever 32 teams from five continents and placed the USA in Group E in Shanghai alongside the Czech Republic, Japan and Turkey -- the team the USA beat in the 2010 final.

Shanghai and Shenzhen are among the eight host cities, along with Beijing, which will stage the final.

Former NBA and Team USA star Kobe Bryant, now a World Cup ambassador, told the draw ceremony: "The USA has some really stiff competition.

"I believe it is going to be a great, competitive tournament," said the 40-year-old, who was given a rousing reception from the crowd at the draw and had his name chanted on several occasions.

"It's a real sense of honour to be playing for your country. 

"At the start of the game you hear your national anthem being played, you see everyone in the arena with their flags, representing their country and colour.

"It's extremely special and different from playing for your club teams."

Serbia, beaten by the USA in the final in Madrid in 2014, are in Group D with the Philippines, Italy and Angola.

Group H looks particularly competitive, lining up Canada, Senegal, Lithuania and Australia.

There is an added incentive for teams at this World Cup, with seven spots at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics up for grabs.

The top two from each group will go into the second round in China.

Groups as follows:

Group A (In Beijing)
Ivory Coast
Poland
Venezuela
China
                  
Group B (Wuhan)
Russia
Argentina
South Korea
Nigeria
                  
Group C (Guangzhou)
Spain
Iran
Puerto Rico
Tunisia
                  
Group D (Foshan)
Angola
Philippines
Italy
Serbia
                  
Group E (Shanghai)
Turkey
Czech Republic
USA
Japan
                  
Group F (Nanjing)
Greece
New Zealand
Brazil
Montenegro
                  
Group G (Shenzhen)
Dominican Republic
France
Germany
Jordan
                  
Group H (Dongguan)
Canada
Senegal
Lithuania
Australia