The United States, which won the Olympic Gold Medal in 2012, automatically qualified for the 2014 FIBA World Cup and chose not to participate in the 2013 Americas Championship.

Originally, Panama were supposed to compete but was replaced by Mexico after FIBA implemented a suspension on the Panamanian Basketball Federation.

Puerto Rico narrowly clinched their place for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup against surprising hosts Venezuela in an 85–86 thriller of an overtime match.

Mexico avenged their first-round loss to world third-ranked Argentina, becoming the first team to advance to the final round.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico avenged their second-round loss against the Dominican team to secure their place in the final match against Mexico.