By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Following the conclusion of the World Cup 2027 Qualifiers Window 2, the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike, has seen significant shifts, with Greece and New Zealand emerging as the primary headline climbers. While the United States maintains its firm grip on the number one spot after successfully advancing to the Second Round of the Americas Qualifiers, the recent performances of other nations have forced a reshuffling of the global ladder.
FIBA officially unveiled these updated rankings on Thursday, reflecting the latest results from international competition. The new standings highlight the momentum gained by teams that secured crucial victories during the recent qualifying window, setting the stage for the next phase of the journey toward the 2027 World Cup.
Per the press release: “While USA retain the top spot after advancing to the Second Round of the World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers, several other nations have climbed in the FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike, on the back of their performances in Window 2.
Stability characterizes the Top 10, but the gap between several of the world’s leading teams has become razor-thin. Fewer than three points separate Serbia, France and Canada, meaning any of them could reach the podium in Window 3.
A similar scenario unfolds just below that trio, with Australia and Spain also separated by a narrow difference. Even tighter still, Argentina, Lithuania and Brazil are closely grouped. In fact, Lithuania cling to ninth place by the slimmest of margins (750.124 points to Brazil’s 750.122).
Greece break into the Top 12 following a victory over Montenegro and qualification for the Second Round of the European Qualifiers, while Latvia drop after consecutive losses to Poland.
New Zealand rise one spot to 24th after securing two away wins against the Philippines and Guam in the Asian Qualifiers. China achieved the same result in away games against Japan and Chinese Taipei, earning 26th position.
Israel record the biggest improvement inside the Top 50, climbing four places thanks to back-to-back commanding wins over Cyprus.
Côte d’Ivoire, unbeaten after their first three games in the African Qualifiers, are the highest-ranked African team to move up and now sit in 38th place.
Madagascar post the largest leap within the Top 100 despite not recording a victory in Window 2, surging nine places to 94th. Jamaica follow a similar pattern: although they suffered defeats to the Bahamas and Canada, participation in the Qualifiers for FIBA’s flagship event lifts them eight spots. Uganda rank as the third-biggest climber in the Top 100, advancing from 90th to 83rd after pushing unbeaten Mali (73–84) on Game Day 2.
For more information about the method used in the calculation of the FIBA World Ranking Men, please refer to the ‘How it Works‘ section.
Click here to view the full FIBA World Ranking Men, presented by Nike.”