Britain will be hoping to clinch the men's title having emerged victorious in 2018 ©Getty Images

Britain and The Netherlands will be aiming to retain the respective men's and women's titles at the delayed International Wheelchair Basketball Federation World Championships in Dubai.

The event was originally due to be staged in November 2022 only for Emirati authorities to order a postponement to avoid a clash with the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Britain claimed the men's crown when the tournament was last staged five years ago and almost secured a memorable double in Germany only for The Netherlands to clinch the women’s title.

More than 300 players representing 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams have arrived in Dubai for the event, which is due to begin tomorrow and run until June 20.

Britain will have high hopes of delivering success again in the men's tournament.

They have been placed in Group D along with reigning Paralympic champion the United States.

The US have won it a record six times but have not triumphed since 2002.

Iran and Iraq have also been drawn in that group.

Australia, who emerged victorious in 2010 and 2014, headline Group A that contains Italy, Brazil and hosts the UAE.

Canada and France are the other two former winners looking to repeat past glories.

The Canadian team are set to face Thailand, Egypt and Germany in Group B, while France have been placed in Group C along with Argentina, South Korea and The Netherlands.

France are back in the tournament having missed the 2014 and 2018 editions and are looking to make a big impact in Dubai.

The Netherlands are the reigning world and Paralympic champions and will be among the favourites to come out on top in Dubai ©Getty Images
The Netherlands are the reigning world and Paralympic champions and will be among the favourites to come out on top in Dubai ©Getty Images

"The team have been building for the last two years for the World Championships, European Championships and Paris 2024 Paralympics," said French head coach Karim El Guedda.

"It’s a new team and hopefully the same players will play the Paralympics so for the players it is very important event and they are ready to give their best.

"It will be very good if we can take the silver medal but the players of course want to finish on top."

The Netherlands backed up winning the women’s world title in 2018 to secure Paralympic gold at Tokyo 2020 and will be hoping to repeat the trick looking ahead to Paris 2024.

The Dutch team are in Group A which features two-time winners the US and four-time medallists Germany.

Algeria, Japan and Thailand have also been placed in that group where the top four will advance to the quarter-finals.

Canada will be expected to challenge as they seek a record-extending sixth title and first since 2014.

They headline Group B that also comprises of Australia, Brazil, Britain, China and Spain.