By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The first FIBA window in the 2025-26 winter schedule generated exciting action all around the world, opening the first round of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers in Europe, Americas, Asia, and Africa. And with a fair share of upsets.
With host Qatar being the only national team with a guaranteed spot in the final stage, 31 tickets are up for grabs, including 12 from the European zone.
Eurohoops reviews Window 1 of the World Cup Qualifiers.
FIBA World Cup 2027 Europe Qualifiers
Fresh from medals in last summer’s EuroBasket 2025, Germany, Turkiye, and Greece bounced back into action with a perfect window, similar to Serbia, Spain, Croatia, Poland, Ukraine, Czechia, and Hungary.
Meanwhile, Finland added to fourth place in EuroBasket with a huge win over France, after previously losing to Hungary in Szombathely. Italy went from a losing effort versus Iceland at home to defeating Lithuania on the road. Latvia and Slovenia are among other countries ending up with a 1-1 tally.
There is some room for error, but not much. The next FIBA window, between late February and early March, will resume action with the participating teams looking to either add or catch up in the hunt for a spot in the next World Cup.
Standings
Group A
1. Spain 4 (2-0)
2. Ukraine 4 (2-0)
3. Denmark 2 (0-2)
4. Georgia 2 (0-2)
Group B
1. Greece 4 (2-0)
2. Portugal 3 (1-1)
3. Montenegro 3 (1-1)
4. Romania 0 (0-2)
Group C
1. Turkiye 4 (2-0)
2. Serbia 4 (2-0)
3. Bosnia-Herzegovina 2 (0-2)
4. Switzerland 2 (0-2)
Group D
1. Great Britain 3 (1-1)
2. Lithuania 3 (1-1)
3. Iceland 3 (1-1)
4. Italy 3 (1-1)
Group E
1. Croatia 4 (2-0)
2. Germany 4 (2-0)
3. Israel 2 (0-2)
4. Cyprus 2 (0-2)
Group F
1. Poland 4 (2-0)
2. Netherlands 3 (1-1)
3. Latvia 3 (1-1)
4. Austria 2 (0-2)
Group G
1. Hungary 4 (2-0)
2. Finland 3 (1-1)
3. France 3 (1-1)
4. Belgium 2 (0-2)
Group H
1. Czechia 4 (2-0)
2. Estonia 3 (1-1)
3. Slovenia 3 (1-1)
4. Sweden 2 (0-2)
-Top 3 national teams from each group advance to the next round, carrying their results to a new group
-Top 3 national teams from all four new groups advance to the World Cup
FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers
A huge blow to the World Cup bid of Puerto Rico was delivered by Jamaica. A near constant participant, including the last ten installments of FIBA’s flagship tournament, versus a country seeking a first-ever World Cup berth, drove in an unlikely direction.
Meanwhile, the United States, Canada, Argentina, and Brazil, alongside Uruguay, launched their bids with a 2-0 record.
Standings
Group A
1. USA 4 (2-0)
2. Dominican Republic 3 (1-1)
3. Mexico 3 (1-1)
4. Nicaragua 2 (0-2)
Group B
1. Canada 4 (2-0)
2. Jamaica 4 (2-0)
3. Puerto Rico 2 (0-2)
4. Bahamas 2 (0-2)
Group C
1. Brazil 4 (2-0)
2. Colombia 2 (1-0)
3. Chile 2 (0-2)
4. Venezuela 1 (0-1)
Group D
1. Argentina 4 (2-0)
2. Uruguay 4 (2-0)
3. Panama 2 (0-2)
4. Cuba 2 (0-2)
-Top 3 national teams from each group advance to the next round, carrying their results to a new group
-Top 3 national teams of the two new groups advance to the World Cup
FIBA World Cup 2027 Asia Qualifiers
A long rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, extending into the World Cup Qualifiers, stood out among the action in Asia. The Boomers collected two narrow wins to pave the way for a ticket to Qatar.
The Philippines, Japan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia were among other countries with a perfect window, alongside Jordan and a 42-point showing by Jalen Harris. Also, China lost twice to South Korea and is facing the danger of elimination.
With a narrow loss followed by a win against Lebanon, Qatar made headlines and showed early promise for the final stage.
Standings
Group A
1. Philippines 4 (2-0)
2. Australia 4 (2-0)
3. New Zealand 2 (0-2)
4. Guam 2 (0-2)
Group B
1. Japan 4 (2-0)
2. South Korea 4 (2-0)
3. China 2 (0-2)
4. Chinese Taipei 2 (0-2)
Group C
1. Jordan 4 (2-0)
2. Iran 4 (2-0)
3. Iraq 2 (0-2)
4. Syria 2 (0-2)
Group D
1. Saudi Arabia 4 (2-0)
2. Qatar 3 (1-1)
3. Lebanon 3 (1-1)
4. India 2 (0-2)
-Top 3 national teams from each group advance to the next round, carrying their results to a new group
-Top 3 national teams and the best fourth team of the two new groups advance to the World Cup
-Qatar has an automatic host berth
FIBA World Cup 2027 Africa Qualifiers
Varying from the other continental zones, the Africa Qualifiers featured three games across two groups, with three games from the two remaining groups scheduled in the next window.
Guinea turned some heads with three wins over Tunisia, Nigeria, and Rwanda. South Sudan was also on track for a 3-0 start before falling to Cameroon on Sunday.
Standings
Group A
1. South Sudan 5 (2-1)
2. Cameroon 5 (2-1)
3. Cape Verde 5 (2-1)
4. Libya 3 (0-3)
Group B
1. Cote d’Ivoire 0 (0-0)
2. DR Congo 0 (0-0)
3. Madagascar 0 (0-0)
4. Senegal 0 (0-0)
Group C
1. Guinea 6 (3-0)
2. Tunisia 5 (2-1)
3. Nigeria 4 (1-2)
4. Rwanda 3 (0-3)
Group D
1. Angola 0 (0-0)
2. Egypt 0 (0-0)
3. Mali 0 (0-0)
4. Uganda 0 (0-0)
-Top 3 national teams from each group advance to the next round, carrying their results to a new group
-Top 2 national teams and the best third team of the two new groups advance to the World Cup